The Florida Department of Health has been investigating cases of toxin producing Vibrio Cholera 075. Between March 23 and April 13 seven residents of Florida presented with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms from six different counties across the state after consuming raw or lightly cooked oysters. The cases were confirmed by Florida State laboratory and CDC to be toxin producing Vibrio Cholera 075 . One Lake County case dined on Oysters from the Apalachicola Bay area 1642 on April 9. Two cases from Nassau dined together on April 10 on oysters self reported to be harvested from Apalachicola Bay but no tags were available. The other interviewed cases ate on Ma21, April 6, April 11 and self reported, the oysters were all from Apalachicola Bay but no tags were available. One case in Washington reported that the oysters were recreationally harvested but refused to provide any further information. Nationally there are cases of 075 reported from Indiana and Georgia that may also have Florida oyster connections.
It has now been almost 3 incubation periods without an additional Vc case being reported however given the link to one of our growing areas and according to the terms of the Model Ordinance, on Friday, April 29th we initiated the following actions:
· Closed area 1642 in Apalachicola until we complete a thorough harvest area investigation. We are almost finished with this portion of the investigation and should have a draft report this afternoon. The only thing that appears to have been unusual in that area was an Army Corps of Engineers dredging operation that took place in the Bay Feb 21 – March 27th. We are following up on that as well.
· We have further initiated a recall of any oysters harvested from area 1642 from March 26th (two days before first onset of symptoms) to April 30th. This recall began Friday evening. As of this time, almost all dealers who may have received oysters from that area have been notified and instructed to notify their customers that any product (including shellstock, frozen and fresh shucked and frozen half shell) is being recalled. We will be collecting shipping records today and will begin conducting effectiveness checks of their recall notification procedures with their customers.
· Receiving states will be notified as the recall progresses.
If you have any questions or need additional information please contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, (850) 410-0833.