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Thursday, July 20, 2006 · Last updated 2:23 p.m. PT

State warns about contaminated oysters

By JULIE DAVIDOW
P-I REPORTER

Oyster eaters beware.

Now, more than ever, is not the time to be enjoying them raw. About 45 Washington residents have fallen ill in the past two weeks as a result of eating raw Puget Sound oysters contaminated with a bacteria called Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

The bacteria, which causes about three to four days of diarrhea for most people, is found naturally in seawater but is more likely to multiply in warmer waters.

It's rare to have so many reported illnesses in such a short time period, said Jo Hofmann, state epidemiologist. In an average year, Washington state has about 20 such reported cases.

Two people have been hospitalized. There have been no deaths and, for most people, the ailment is mild.

State health officials say oysters and other shellfish should always be cooked to at least 145 degrees before eating.

Five oyster harvesting areas around Hood Canal, and Totten and Eld inlets have been closed and local health departments have been asked to notify retail stores and restaurants about the bacterial outbreak.

There also have been reports of illness in other Western states that appear to be related to eating oysters from Puget Sound.

Julie Davidow can be reached at 206-448-8180 or juliedavidow@seattlepi.com.
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