Reading Raw oysters were recently linked to 2 deaths. Here’s how to limit risk. (no paywall) got me thinking about Vibrio vulnificus cases on the Northern Neck.
As of June of this year, there were between 3 and 12 cases collectively in the eight health districts out of 26 cases state-wide. Note that VDH does not show current year case counts less than 5 to protect privacy. Those cases are represented by an asterisk. In 2021, there were 26 cases among the eight health districts and 78 in the state. VDH does not indicate whether the Vibrio exposure was from eating oysters or swimming in warm salt or brackish water.
Vibriosis, non-cholera cases in selected health districts and state, 2017-June 2022 contains data for eight health districts―Chesapeake, Eastern Shore, Hampton, Peninsula, Portsmouth, Three Rivers, Virginia Beach, Western Tidewater―and the state. The data is publicly available in Virginia Department of Health Reportable Disease Monthly Surveillance Report.
Want to avoid Vibrio? Check out these tips and more in VDH's What you need to know about Vibrio:
- Eat cooked seafood, which tastes just as delicious!
- Avoid contact with seawater or preparing raw seafood such as oysters and shrimp if you have an open wound, even if it’s a minor cut or scrape. Or cover your wound with a waterproof bandage.
- Wash wounds and cuts with soap and clean water if they have been exposed to seawater, raw seafood, or juices from seafood.