Posted on 08/30/2025 12:26:14 PM PDT by billorites
Two people have died in Louisiana after contracting flesh-eating bacteria from raw oysters, and state officials warned of an increase in cases.
The oysters were infected with Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria found in coastal waters and peaking in May through October when temperatures are warmer. People can be sickened when eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters.
This year, 17 cases of Vibrio vulnificus have been reported in Louisiana as of July 31, and four have died. Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled eggs; 95 sick since January
“During the same time period over the previous 10 years, an average of seven Vibrio vulnificus cases and one death have been reported each year in Louisiana,” the Louisiana Health Department said in a news release.
In addition to eating raw or undercooked shellfish, exposing an open wound to coastal waters can also put an individual at risk.
Symptoms of infection include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills.
Always a risk in eating raw oysters.
I have been told by seafood connoisseur friends of mine to avoid oysters from the Gulf.
In await “experts” pointing to climate change.
I’ve eaten them are mostly to be able to say I’ve done so. They are much better when grilled.
Danger “peaking in May through October.”
The folk wisdom “eat oysters only in months ending in R” appears to be lost or ignored.
Yes. Avoid crossing the street as well.
There are oysters from other bodies of seawater that are more reputable.
Good info. Daughter and I are going to New Orleans in October, plan to eat Oysters Rockefeller at Antoine’s. They are cooked, but might be tempted by other oyster dishes elsewhere.
Good choice for the dining experience. The pommes frites are to die for.
Go to ACME Oyster House in the quarter. The oysters are outstanding.
That’s what I was always told also… no month without a letter R.
Or going into the Gulf’s coastal waters with even a minor open wound. A friend of mine suffered a severe, life altering infection from the same bacteria when he went fishing in the surf on the Gulf coast in north Florida with a minor scrape on his leg. That led to a month in the ICU and lasting impairment to his health.
I disagree with you there. They are a real delicacy raw, but safer cooked.
Pommes frites sound great. I live on a very strict diet, no salt, wheat, saturated fats like butter,. But it can stay here when we go to NOLA. I weigh 116, so it’s not a weight diet, it’s a stay-healthy diet.
I went to NOLA several times when I. was a teenager. Family took Easter vacations there to see my grandmother who managed a lovely guest house on St Charles Ave. My dad knew the owner of Antoine’s, they loved to talk about food. Don’t they have Lobster Thermadore too?
“There are oysters from other bodies of seawater that are more reputable.”
Has nothing , absolutely zero to.do with if the water is reputable. This bacteria is endemic to warm seawater even more so brackish water. It is present in all of the Gulf of America and bays attached too it same for most of the lower Atlantic coastline. Warm water is its natural home. It is not imported by illegals and has zero to do with locations imagined pedigree. If the water is warm enough and if there is a source of food for this bacteria it will grow and multiply it is that simple.
It amazes me that people eat raw seafood from any source in the Gulf when the water temp is above 80F its only remotely safe in the winter cooler water months.
There is a reason you have never heard of Puget sound oysters having this bacteria the water is too cold for it so survive. Same for PEI or Newfoundland and Labrador oysters. These sources are the only ones anyone with a grasp of science and biology would touch on any Northern hemisphere month that is not December to February.
Char grilled oysters from Dragos in NOLA are fully cooked and perfectly safe to eat same for the only real oysters Rockefeller at Antoine’s in the Quarter again NO ONE EKESE ON EARTH has real oysters Rockefeller other than Antoine’ they invented them and only they know the real greens they use which is NEVER spinach.
Thanks, will do. Already mailed info to myself so I won’t forget.
October has an ‘r’ in it. Your risk will be much lower. 😏
The grilled pompano is what I would order. The best Gulf fish there is, imho.
We always go to ACME on Iberville St. after the Saints games at the dome. You’ll thoroughly enjoy it.
Here’s their menu.
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