Vibrio outbreak linked to crab meat imported from Venezuela

Health officials warn US consumers not to eat crab meat imported from Venezuela after linking it to a dozen cases of disease in three states and Washington. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a bacterium called Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Diseases have been reported in Maryland, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. Twelve people who ate fresh crab meat imported from Venezuela became ill and four of them were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

Vibrio bacteria live naturally in some coastal waters and are present at higher concentrations between May and October when water temperatures are warmer. Some species of vibrios can cause diseases in humans, called vibriosis.

People can have vibriosis by eating raw or undercooked crustaceans . Most people with a mild case of vibriosis recover after about three days without lasting effects. However, in some cases, infections can become serious and result in intensive care. It can turn into a flesh-eating bacterial infection requiring limb amputation and can quickly become fatal.

The CDC estimates that vibriosis causes about 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths in the United States each year.

The best way to prevent vibriosis is to avoid eating raw or undercooked crustaceans . If you have an injury, including cuts and scrapes, avoid contact with brackish water (a mixture of fresh and salt water) because the vibrio can also get into the body that way. A man in New Jersey was hospitalized last week after contracting the vibrio because of a cut while he was cracking.

Due to the latest outbreak, the CDC recommends that consumers not eat. do not sell fresh crab meat imported from Venezuela for the moment. The product can be labeled as fresh or precooked and usually found in plastic containers.

If you bought crabmeat and you do not know if it comes from Venezuela, do not eat it and do not serve it; throw it away to avoid the risk of illness.