Vibrio vulnificus facts

**V-Bottom** · #1 07-11-2007, 10:01 AM

An average of 50 people along our Texas Coast contract this serious infection caused by this bacteria.At risk people include those w/ a liver disease, diabetes, cancer, iron overload disease,stomach disorders, or a weak immune system.
You can avoid this illness by not eating raw oysters, handling oyster shells and not swimming or wade fishing. Eat only cooked shellfish and never go in water if you have sores or wounds.
Infections in high-risk people have a 50% fatality rate. Symtoms occur within 24-48 hours, and may include fever, chills, blistering skin lesions, stomach pain,nausea,vomiting,diarrhea, and shock
Necrotizing fasiitis, a deadly skin infection, can develope as a result of a skin scratch from a seafood part, such as a fish fin,shrimp spine,or crab leg.Surgical debridement of wounds is often required and occasionally amputation is necessary.
Vibrio, a bacteria, is not the result of pollution and does not change the appearance, taste, or odor of shellfish. More than 85% of the infections occur between May and October when the water levels are higher due to warmer water temps. RESTAURANT and STORE bought oysters have the same contamination rates as individual harvesting.
Many of us, anglers, having any of these high risk conditions, should stay off-shore OR not wade at all. I'm staying in my boat! Handle fish w/ gloves. IF you suffer a cut or scratch while fishiong, wash it immediately w/ soap and water or carry some Betadine.
Treat these bacteria w/ respect of a bull shark. If you have the slightest suspicion of this infection, please contact medical help asap.
I hope this thread has been some assistance to you. Be safe guys and gals.......children too..

Respectfully submitted,
EM.......WeighMaster

**HonkyFin** · #2 07-11-2007, 10:45 AM

With all the run-off from the hard rains we have had, The water will be especially dangerous. Think of all the fertilizers and septic tanks that have been washed into the main watersheds thru out the state. All coming to a beach near you.
Prolly will see a Red Tide when the real heat sets in around August.

**thundertrout** · #3 07-11-2007, 08:40 PM

we know it's in saltwater,and does it apply to (freash)sp water also.

**wiley199** · #4 07-11-2007, 08:50 PM

If you ware wadders shouldnt it help?

**L.T.K.56** · #5 07-11-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-Bottom

An average of 50 people along our Texas Coast contract this serious infection caused by this bacteria.At risk people include those w/ a liver disease, diabetes, cancer, iron overload disease,stomach disorders, or a weak immune system.
You can avoid this illness by not eating raw oysters, handling oyster shells and not swimming or wade fishing. Eat only cooked shellfish and never go in water if you have sores or wounds.
Infections in high-risk people have a 50% fatality rate. Symtoms occur within 24-48 hours, and may include fever, chills, blistering skin lesions, stomach pain,nausea,vomiting,diarrhea, and shock
Necrotizing fasiitis, a deadly skin infection, can develope as a result of a skin scratch from a seafood part, such as a fish fin,shrimp spine,or crab leg.Surgical debridement of wounds is often required and occasionally amputation is necessary.
Vibrio, a bacteria, is not the result of pollution and does not change the appearance, taste, or odor of shellfish. More than 85% of the infections occur between May and October when the water levels are higher due to warmer water temps. RESTAURANT and STORE bought oysters have the same contamination rates as individual harvesting.
Many of us, anglers, having any of these high risk conditions, should stay off-shore OR not wade at all. I'm staying in my boat! Handle fish w/ gloves. IF you suffer a cut or scratch while fishiong, wash it immediately w/ soap and water or carry some Betadine.
Treat these bacteria w/ respect of a bull shark. If you have the slightest suspicion of this infection, please contact medical help asap.
I hope this thread has been some assistance to you. Be safe guys and gals.......children too..

Respectfully submitted,
EM.......WeighMaster

why do they close bays for oystering after big rains with runoff not pollution????

Chuck · #6 07-11-2007, 10:04 PM

If you can find IQF (individually quick frozen) oysters done by a reputable company, then the risk of Vibrio is reduced to non detectable levels according to the FDA. The only company I am aware of is Hillmans Shrimp and Oyster Company down on Dickinson Bayou. When thawed, you cannot tell the difference.

**V-Bottom** · #7 07-11-2007, 10:18 PM

VV is a gram-negative bacterium and is considered the most lethal of the vibrios inhabiting brackish and saltwater. This bacterium is not a result of bacteriological or chemical pollution of marine waters.

INFECTION
Filter-feeding shellfish, such as oysters and clams, concentrate V.vulnificus in their tissues. When a person eats these shellfish raw, the bacteria enters the digestive tract and mutiply rapidly. Note: Other than ingestion, when one comes in contact with seawater containing VV, and has cuts, sores, and burns...you are at high-risk.

THIS IS SCARY: VV infection case reviews have inticated a median time period of 48 hours or less from hospital admission to death. This underscores the limited effectiveness of treatment and the IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION.

It is now up to YOU. PLEASE do not eat raw oysters or clams and avoid infection by NOT COMING IN CONTACT W/ MARINE WATERS CONTAINING THIS BACTERIA.

Free copies of the brochure " The Risk of Eating Raw Oysters: Advice for Persons W/ Liver Disease, Diabetes and Weakened Immune Systems" are available through the ISSC website (www.issc.org) or by calling 1-800-416-4772. Thanx go to ISSC for providing the public w/ the above info.

Take care out there.................EM

**mastercylinder** · #8 07-11-2007, 10:37 PM

the risk of vibrio is very real in our coastal waters in the summer months, however, please remember that roughly 50 or so cases are reported annually out of the millions of people who fish, surf, wade, swim and partake in other water sports all along the texas coast each year making infections from vibrio very rare.

also, as stated above, vibrio infections usually occur in people who are elderly, immunocompromised, or who have liver disease. if any of the preceeding conditions pertain to you, you should not go into the water with open wounds on your feet, or on any area that may be exposed to the salt water.

to answer one of the above questions, the vibrio bacteria occurs almost exclusively in coastal salt waters during the warmer summer months (may-october).

everyone should be aware of vibrio, but if you are a normally healthy person, vibrio is not something you should fear, nor is it something you should significantly alter your lifestyle to avoid.

**peelin' drag** · #9 07-12-2007, 05:54 AM

If you have a cut on your hand, arm or any exposed extremity, waders will not help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiley199

If you ware wadders shouldnt it help?

**V-Bottom** · #10 07-12-2007, 12:59 PM

Their's alot of "normal healthy" people out there w/ some type of OPEN wounds. The facts were put up here to INFORM the public, not to install fear. Your good judgement/decision will prevail prior to entering the Coastal Waters this time of year. Again, handling finfish, shrimp, and shellfish exposed to this bacteria will result in the same infection. That is if you get "stuck"...cut etc., by these infected creatures.

" LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP".........be safe