Five Floridians have died so far this year from an infection associated with eating raw shellfish and now as the Gulf County scalloping season opens officials are warning locals and tourists alike to be cautious, according to WFTS.
The Vibrio bacteria is found in the Gulf of Mexico. Marine creatures such as crabs, scallops and mollusks can carry the infection and then pass it on when they're eaten raw or undercooked. The bacteria can also enter the body if a swimmer has an open wound.
Symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus are usually gastrointestinal unless the bacteria enters through a wound, in which case a skin infection could occur, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Though WFTS reports that contracting Vibrio vulnificus is rare, it can be deadly. The Florida Department of Health lists 23 confirmed cases of Vibrio vulnificus this year, five of which were deadly. The infection claimed 14 lives across the state in 2015 and seven total in 2014.
The Gulf County scalloping season opened on Monday and will run until Labor Day. The season opened in the Bay Scallop Harvest Zone June 25 and is scheduled to run until Sept. 24, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife.
Officials warn anyone looking to hunt scallops to never eat raw shellfish and to follow these CDC tips to avoid infection:
- Don’t eat raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish. Cook them before eating.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water after handing raw shellfish.
- Avoid contaminating cooked shellfish with raw shellfish and its juices.
- Stay out of brackish or salt water if you have a wound (including cuts and scrapes), or cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if there’s a possibility it could come into contact with brackish or salt water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices.
- Wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water if they have been exposed to seawater or raw seafood or its juices.
- If you develop a skin infection, tell your medical provider if your skin has come into contact with brackish or salt water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices.