HomeMy WebLinkAbout20131009_Vibrio vulnificus reported in Washington state waters (PDF)JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend Washington 98368
www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org
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COMMUNITY HEALTH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
MAIN: (360) 385-9400 FAX: (360) 385-9401
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
WATER QUALITY MAIN: (360) 385-9444 FAX: (360) 379-4487
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Health Advisory
Vibrio vulnificus Reported in Washington State Waters
October 9, 2013
Dear Colleagues:
Healthcare providers should:
Be aware that Vibrio vulnificus (Vv) has been identified locally in oysters.
Be aware that Vv can cause acute gastroenteritis and can also cause severe, invasive
illness including blistering skin lesions and sepsis. Serious infections due to Vv most
commonly occur in persons with immunocompromising conditions, especially those
with liver disease.
Consider the diagnosis of Vv in patients (particularly those with liver disease and
immune system compromise) with sepsis and a history of seafood (particularly
undercooked oyster) consumption or marine water exposure.
Notify the clinical laboratory when submitting specimens if you are suspicions of Vv so
that appropriate techniques are used to identify the organism.
Report suspect cases to Jefferson County Public Health by calling 360-385-9400
Background
The following information has been provided by the Washington State Department of Health
(WA DOH). Each summer the WA DOH Office of Shellfish and Water Protection (OSWP)
harvests oysters from a sampling of WA waters for routine testing. In August 2013, Vibrio
vulnificus (Vv) was detected from oyster samples by PCR and by culture. This finding is a first
for WA PHL, though reports of isolation of Vv in Washington have been described in the past,
including in a sediment sample described by the FDA in 1987 and oyster samples collected by
FDA at the retail level in 2007. In addition to the OSWP testing, the FDA isolated what appear to
be Vv in oyster samples from Washington collected for a research study during the 2013
summer. FDA is still in the process of confirming their findings.
The Vv isolates from oysters tested through OSWP have been sent to FDA and CDC for
additional characterization. By comparing genetic markers among other isolates known to be
associated with human illness or not, the FDA has determined that the WA PHL isolates are
within a group that is considered to be of low virulence.
To date, there have been no illness reports of people acquiring Vv infections in
association with either consuming Washington oysters or exposure to Washington
marine waters. Prior Vv infections among Washington residents have been associated with
travel to the Gulf Coast states.
Like Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the Vv bacteria can be killed in shellfish by cooking thoroughly.
COMMUNITY HEALTH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES MAIN: (360) 385-9400 FAX: (360) 385-9401
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WATER QUALITY MAIN: (360) 385-9444 FAX: (360) 379-4487
385 -
- -
447
379
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-
940 385
-
9401
385
-
-
385 - - -
447
379
-
-
940 385
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9401
385
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MAIN: (360) 385-9400
E
FAX: (360) 385-9401 -
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WATER QUALITY MAIN: (360) 385-9444
FAX: (360) 379-4487 -
Resources
Additional information regarding Vv infections can be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/vibriov/technical.html
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/5100/420-038-Guideline-Vibriosis.pdf
This message will be posted on our website, see Information for Providers
http://www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org
Please call (360) 385-9400 to report cases and if you have additional questions.
Sincerely,
Thomas H. Locke, M.D., M.P.H.
Jefferson County Health Officer
Jefferson County Public Health
(360) 385-9400 (office)