Raw Oysters Prove Fatal for Missouri Man

A 54-year-old man from Missouri died after eating raw oysters from a food stand that were contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium that can be carried by oysters and shellfish. The man was treated at a hospital but died soon after. Health officials concluded that the oysters were likely already contaminated when they arrived at the seafood stand. Vibrio vulnificus is responsible for 95% of seafood-related deaths and has a mortality rate of 33%. The CDC advises reducing the chances of contracting Vibriosis by not consuming raw shellfish or food in contact with raw shellfish and washing hands before and after preparing shellfish.