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07/27/2006: "San Juan County Not Affected By Oyster Closure"

While there have been at least sixty confired cases in Washington of "vibriosis", an illness caused by eating raw oysters that contain a bacteria ( Vibrio parahaemolyticus), there are closures, or cases, reported in San Juan County. The areas that are closed to recreational harvesting of oysters include Hood Canal and Totten and Eld inlets in south Puget Sound. Bear in mind that commercially harvested shellfish are sampled separately, and products on the market should be safe to eat.


Even so, Dr. Frank James, San Juan County Health Officer, recommends people thoroughly cook all shellfish. Consuming raw and/or undercooked shellfish, including oysters, increases your risk of contracting a food borne illness such as vibriosis. Proper cooking will kill the bacteria and leave the shellfish safe to eat. Food safety specialist, Betsy Wingren, recommends that oysters be cooked to an internal temperature of 145° F.

Vibriosis can result diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, and chills.