Vibrio vulnificus infections associated with eating raw oysters--Los Angeles, 1996

Of all foodborne infectious diseases, infection with Vibrio vulnificus is one of the most severe; the case-fatality rate for V. vulnificus septicemia exceeds 50%. In immunocompromised hosts V. vulnificus infection can cause fever, nausea, myalgia, and abdominal cramps 24-48 hours after eating contaminated food; because the organism can cross the intestinal mucosa rapidly, sepsis and cutaneous bullae can occur within 36 hours of the initial onset of symptoms. Cases are most commonly reported during warm-weather months (April-November) and often are associated with eating raw oysters. During April 1993-May 1996, a total of 16 cases of V. vulnificus infection were reported in Los Angeles county. Fifteen (94%) of these patients were primarily Spanish-speaking, 12 (75%) had preexisting liver disease (associated with alcohol use or viral hepatitis), all were septicemic, and all had eaten raw oysters 1-2 days before onset of symptoms. In May 1996, three deaths related to V. vulnificus infection among primarily Spanish-speaking persons were reported to the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LACDHS). This report summarizes the findings of the investigations of these fatal cases and illustrates the importance of prevention strategies for persons with preexisting liver disease.