Imported oysters related to diseases in 5 states

At least 16 people in five states have contracted gastrointestinal diseases attributable to oysters from an estuary in Baja California Sur, Mexico, according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Two people were hospitalized and no deaths were reported.

The agency, which investigates the outbreak, warned consumers not to eat or sell oyster from the estuary in question, Estero El Cardon, whose growing area has been closed since Tuesday. At least one distributor of these oysters has issued a reminder.

According to a statement from the US Food and Drug Administration, the authorities do not believe that contaminated product is being sold, but an investigation is underway on the root cause and extent of the outbreak. The most recent disease related to the epidemic began on April 4, but the first of these diseases appeared in December.

Experts say oysters can be high risk because they do not eat like humans. instead, they filter the water, concentrating the bacteria in their tissues. Warmer waters like those in Mexico, as opposed to places like the North West Pacific, can also be a better environment for the development of bacteria.

With regard to the insects identified by the CDC, common symptoms include watery or bloody diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, nausea and vomiting. The symptoms may appear a few days after infection and last up to a week, the agency said. Those who suffer from other chronic diseases, such as a weakened immune system, may be at higher risk.

The CDC recommends cooking raw oysters and crustaceans before serving, as well as disposing of oysters with shells open before cooking. The agency also emphasizes the importance of hand washing and disinfecting worktops and utensils likely to have come into contact with raw shellfish and crustaceans.