Vibrio gastroenteritis in the US Gulf of Mexico region: the role of raw oysters

We examined clinical and epidemiological features of 575 laboratory-confirm ed cases of vibrio gastroenteritis in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texa s from 1988 to 1997 (the US Gulf of Mexico Regional Vibrio Surveillance Sys tem). Illnesses occurred year round, with peaks in spring and autumn, Illne sses lasted a median of 7 days and included fever in half of patients and b loody stools in 25 % of patients with relevant information. Seventy-two per cent of patients reported no underlying illnesses. In the week before onset , 236 (53 %) of 445 patients for whom data were available ate raw oysters, generally at a restaurant or bar. Educational efforts should address the ri sk of vibrio gastroenteritis for raw oyster consumers, including healthy in dividuals. Further studies should examine environmental conditions affectin g vibrio counts on seafood and processing technologies to enhance the safet y of raw oysters.