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Raw oyster lovers are once again being warned about a possible outbreak of the bacterium Vibrio after the B.C. Centre for Disease Control confirmed its first case of illness this summer.

An outbreak of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in 2015was the largest ever and sickened a total of 73 people who ate raw oysters in restaurants, bought from stores or self-harvested.

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Vibrio is linked to warmer sea water and can cause fever, vomiting and diarrhea.



This first case was reported June 30 after a person ate raw oysters in the Vancouver area.

Health officials advise cooking all shellfish this summer or insuring that it’s harvested from cool water and kept cold until it’s eaten.



The BCCDC has added a new feature for Vibrio control to its website. It includes a regularly updated mapping tool that shows water temperatures in oyster-harvesting areas on West Coast and a map of shellfish openings and closures.



Anyone becoming ill with diarrhea and vomiting after eating raw shellfish is asked to call B.C. HealthLink at 811.



For more information about the safe consumption of fish and shellfish go to: bccdc.ca/health-info/food-your-health/fish-shellfish



