North Atlantic Vibrio vulnificus surveillance from postharvest oysters at a US shellfish processing facility

Abstract

Postharvest surveillance for Vibrio vulnificus by a commercial processing facility was conducted from May 2001 to September 2003. Harvest areas included the Delaware Bay, Long Island Sound and Prince Edward Island. Occurrence followed a seasonal distribution. Low densities were observed in June, increased through August, and became rare by September. Given the ubiquitous nature of marine Vibrios, it was not surprising to find V. vulnificus everywhere, which was investigated. Observations confirmed the importance of strict time/temperature and product handling practices by shellfish harvesters, dealers and processors. Mishandling led to a potentially dangerous and uncharacteristically high V. vulnificus observation.

Development and Validation of a Predictive Model for the Growth of Vibrio vulnificus in Postharvest Shellstock Oysters

“…It can be isolated from seawater, sediments, plankton, and shellfish, especially oysters harvested from warm, brackish waters (28,31,38,40). Vibrio vulnificus is a cause of food-borne illness associated with the consumption of raw oysters.…”