FDA Advises Consumers to Avoid Potentially Contaminated Fresh Crab Meat Imported from Venezuela due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus

An outbreak of Vibrio parahaemolyticus is being investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and federal, state, and local. The outbreak was linked to fresh crab meat from Venezuela. The FDA is advising consumers to avoid eating fresh crab meat from Venezuela. This product is commonly found in plastic tubs and may be labeled as “pre-cooked.” The source of the contaminated crabmeat causing the outbreak is being investigated. As of July 12, 2018, there are 12 cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The states reporting cases associated with this outbreak include Maryland (8), Louisiana (2), Pennsylvania (1), and the District of Columbia (1). Four of these cases are confirmed matches to the outbreak strain by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). All four of these confirmed cases are in Maryland. Four people (33%) have been hospitalized. Illnesses started on dates ranging from April 1, 2018, to July 3, 2018. @ https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=wm#inbox/FMfcgxvwzvSRqdZCnHDkmdtnpCTBpWQf