Dallas Resident Dies After Eating Raw Oysters

NBC5i ^ | 9-29-06 | AP

[Dysart]

MCKINNEY, Texas -- The Collin County Health Department on Friday reported that a Dallas resident died earlier this week after consuming raw oysters at a restaurant in Plano.

Oysters can be contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio vulnificus. This bacterium is naturally present in marine environments and does not alter the appearance, taste, or odor of oysters.

Among healthy people, ingestion of V. vulnificus can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

In immunocompromised persons, particularly those with chronic liver disease, V. vulnificus can infect the bloodstream, causing a severe and life-threatening illness characterized by fever and chills, decreased blood pressure (septic shock), and blistering skin lesions.

[Dysart]

Plan your weekend dining accordingly.

[PeterFinn]

There was some wisdom and common sense in the Kosher dietary laws.

[centurion316]

I have yet to die from eating oysters, but that's just me. Spinach, on the other hand - that stuff can kill you.

[cripplecreek]

It's Septemberrrrrrrrrrr

[Dysart]

Most people I've known who consumed raw seafood do so knowing the perils, yet rather enjoyed the risky aspect of it. This is beyond me. I'd like to know this man's physical state before this happened, but so far, no word.

[Dysart]

It's Septemberrrrrrrrrrr

Come again?

[CindyDawg]

Most restaurants have warnings on the menu regarding oysters and rare beef.

[BookaT]

I agree what was the health of this person before eating this.

Also what was the health of the person that died after eating spinach?

I think the average healthy person can fight off these infections or poisonings.

[Terpfen]

T.O.'s backup plan, maybe?

[Moral Hazard]

One of the great milestones in the evolution of man was the discovery of fire and the subsequent cooking of food which greatly reduced the chances of food poisoning.

Apparently not everyone has learned that lesson though.

[cripplecreek]

The old wives tale was that you should never eat shellfish in months with an R in the name.

[Vote 4 Nixon]

I heard on the radio this morning that two people from Florida aslo died in the past week from eating raw oysters as well. Spinach anyone?

[The Lumster]

In immunocompromised persons, particularly those with chronic liver disease, V. vulnificus can infect the bloodstream.......

Code for HIV or hepatitis - both common in the "alternative lifestyle" community

[Political Junkie Too]

I wonder if he thought he'd be boosting his libido for the evening.

-PJ

[Dog Gone]

I tried raw oysters once to impress a date.

I'm impressed that I didn't hurl at the table. What a disgustingly slimy scary piece of protoplasm to ingest.

[LukeL]

An old myth (with much truth to it) is that you don't consume oysters during months that end in R.

[Alter Kaker]

You're supposed to eat oysters only in months with Rs. September is a month with an R. So this shouldn't be a problem.

[Dysart]

Well that's a new one on me! I must have lived a shell-tered life.

[Camel Joe]

My Father nearly died from the same thing while in the Carolina's. He has poor liver condition and likes to go out on the shoals at low tide and eat them at 6:00AM. Even dragged my three brothers and me out while on vacation in the 70's. I for one do not like raw oysters at any time of day or night it turns out and while the oyster stew was o.k. for a side dish at dinner I skipped the remaining oyster hunts at 6;00AM. Did I mention he ate them at 6:00AM???

[Argus]

Actually, the rule was you should only eat shellfish during R months because the seawater is then chilly enough that the bacteria doesn't thrive.