Pathogen: Vibrio - bacteria

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Symptoms

V. parahaemolyticus

• Diarrhea (watery)
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Headache

V. cholerae

• Diarrhea (watery)
• Leg cramps
• Vomiting
• Low blood pressure

Start of symptoms / how long they last

V. parahaemolyticus

Symptoms usually

• start within 12 to 24 hours
• last up to 3 days

V. cholerae

Symptoms usually

• start within 1 to 3 days
• last up to 7 days

How you can get sick

V. parahaemolyticus

• By eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters
• Through contact with the feces of a sick person

V. cholerae

• By eating or drinking contaminated food or beverage while travelling to developing countries, where foodborne illness from V. cholerae is common

Potential health impacts

V. parahaemolyticus

• Severe illness is rare and occurs more commonly in people with weakened immune systems.

V. cholerae

• Rapid loss of body fluids can lead to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours.

Food commonly associated

• Raw, undercooked or contaminated shellfish, especially oysters
• Contaminated drinking water

How to protect yourself

• Cook shellfish thoroughly before eating, especially oysters.
• Always keep raw and cooked shellfish separated.
• Keep cooked food separate from raw food during storage and preparation.
• When travelling, in particular in the developing world
  • drink water from a safe source (treated or boiled water)
  • eat only cooked hot food

Food Safety Tip

Keep cooked food separate from raw food in the shopping cart, at home and when cooking. Use one set of utensils for raw food and another for cooked food.

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