Carlos’ Tragic 

and Mysterious Illnes

How Carlos almost died by eating 

contaminated raw oysters.
2

Published March 2003

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

5100 Paint Branch Parkway

College Park, MD 20740

For questions regarding this publication please contact:
Carlos: “I’m looking forward to relaxing this evening. I’ve be

working hard all week.”

Juan: “Me too. Let’s have some beers.”

Carlos: “Ok, let’s go to my house and we can pick up some ra

oysters for dinner. We can stop by the local seafood m

on the way home.”

Rosa: “I don’t know why you like raw oysters so much. They 

don’t appeal to me.”

Carlos: “Oh woman. We’ve grown up eating raw oysters with 

fathers and friends. It’s our tradition.”
4

The next morning Carlos starts to feel stomach cramps and suf

from diarrhea. He tells his wife about his symptoms. She gives 

over the counter medication for an upset stomach. 

Carlos: “Rosa, I’m starting to feel very warm and my muscle

aching. What could be wrong with me?”

Rosa: “You have a high fever. We’d better take you to the hos
Rosa tells a nurse about Carlos’ symptoms. Carlos feels worse 

nurse calls a doctor. 

Dr. Sanchez: “Carlos, I’ve reviewed the results from your blo

and I’ve found a bacteria in your blood. Have 

raw oysters recently?”

Carlos: “Yes, I ate some raw oysters two nights ago.” 
6

Dr. Sanchez:

“Well Carlos, let me tell you about the dangers of eat

raw oysters contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus. Vibri

bacteria live in the water where some oysters come fr

You can not tell from sight or smell if an oyster is 

contaminated. If you’re healthy and eat contaminated 

oysters your body can fight off the bacteria but if you 

a person who has a weak immune system you can die

“Carlos, because you’re so sick I’d like to run some m

tests to see if you have any other health conditions yo

don’t know about.”
Dr. Sanchez:

“Carlos, our tests have found that you have liver diseas

It’s not uncommon for your liver to be weakened long b

you experience any symptoms. Your liver is making yo

body’s immune system weak and making it difficult fo

to fight the effects of the bacteria from the oysters you 

People with underlying health conditions should never 

oysters. I’ll need to give you antibiotics to fight the bac
8

Dr. Sanchez: “Carlos is very lucky. Many people die from eatin

oysters contaminated with this bacteria. From now 

Carlos really wants to eat oysters they should be 

cooked – never raw!”

Carlos: “Rosa, I feel so lucky that my life was saved. I will n

raw oysters again and I’ll share what happened to me 

my friends. People should know that if you have an il

and eat raw oysters that you are putting your life at ris

Rosa: “Yes, I’m going to tell all of my friends about this, so th

be watchful and try to get the guys to eat their oysters co

After a few more days in the hospital, Carlos is well enough to 

go home with his family.
Carlos: “Friends, I know we have all grown up enjoying raw o

But you need to be aware of the risks. I ate raw oyster

almost died because of bacteria in the oysters combin

the fact that I did not know I had liver disease. I invite 

join me in eating some wonderfully cooked oysters th

has prepared. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them just the same

Rosa: “We’ve tried some of these new recipes and Carlos love

Carlos: “See, we can continue our tradition and enjoy each ot

company along with it. To cooked oysters and better h

If you or someone you know experience any of the following sym

when eating raw oysters, immediately go to the nearest emergenc

Waste no time - it could be fatal. Make sure to tell the nurses and 

on staff that you have been eating raw oysters and let them know 

other medical conditions that you may have:

Symptoms:

• Diarrhea • High fever

• Skin rash • Nausea/Vomiting
10

Did You Know? 

• People who drink alcoholic beverages (including beer and 

regularly may be at risk for liver disease, and, as a result, 

for serious illness or death from consuming raw oysters. 

• Even drinking two to three drinks daily can contribute to t

development of liver disease, which may occur without sym

• Alcoholism and infections from Hepatitis can injure the liv

impair its function years before an individual begins to exp

symptoms. Liver disease puts people at risk for Vibrio vuln

infection from raw oysters. The risk of death is almost 200 

greater in those with liver disease than those without liver 

OYSTER FACTS

• Oysters are sometimes contaminated with the naturally occ

bacteria Vibrio vulnificus.

• Oysters contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus can’t be detecte

by smell or sight; they look like other oysters. 

• Eating raw oysters containing Vibrio vulnificus is very dang

those with pre-existing medical conditions such as liver dis

diabetes, hepatitis, cancer and HIV. 

• Symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus contamination include: diarr

nausea, vomiting, and skin lesions.

• 50 percent of people who are infected with Vibrio vulnificu

result of eating raw contaminated oysters die.

• Eating raw oysters with hot sauce or while drinking alcohol 

kill the bacteria.

• Only heat can destroy the bacteria. In order to prevent cont

and kill the bacteria, the oysters should be thoroughly cook
The presence of Vibrio vulnificus bacteria is not a result of pol

so although oysters should always be obtained from reputable 

eating oysters from “clean” waters or in restaurants with high t

does not provide protection. Eating raw oysters with hot sauce 

while drinking alcohol does not kill the bacteria, either. Only 

can destroy the bacteria. 

Since thoroughly cooking oysters will destroy the bacteria, oys

can continue to be enjoyed in many cooked preparations by fo

this advice. 

At Restaurants:

• Order oysters fully cooked.

Cooking at Home:

• When you purchase oysters the shells should be closed. Th

away any oysters with shells already opened.

• In the shell: After the shells open, boil live oysters for anot

3-5 minutes. (Use small pots to boil or steam oysters. Do n

cook too many oysters in the same pot because the ones in 

middle may not get fully cooked. Discard any oysters that 

not open during cooking).

• In a steamer: Add oysters to water that is already steaming 

cook live oysters for another 4-9 minutes.

Shucked Oysters: 

• Boil or simmer shucked oysters for at least 3 minutes or un

the edges curl.

• Fry at 375 degrees for at least 3 minutes.

• Broil 3 inches from heat for 3 minutes.

• Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes.
RAW OYSTER MYTHS

Raw oysters contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus can be life threatening, even 

eaten by someone with liver disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system. 

are myths that encourage people to eat raw oysters in spite of these dangers. S

myths, and the true facts behind them, include:

MYTH: Eating raw oysters is safe if you drown them in hot sauce, which kills 

FACT: Hot sauce will not destroy the harmful bacteria, in fact the active ingred

sauce have no more effect on bacteria than plain water. Nothing but prolonged 

heat at a high enough temperature will kill bacteria. 

MYTH: Avoid oysters from polluted waters and you’ll be fine.

FACT: Vibrio vulnificus in oysters has nothing to do with pollution. Rather th

thrive naturally in warm coastal areas (such as the Gulf of Mexico).

MYTH: An experienced oyster lover can tell a good oyster from a bad one.

FACT: Vibrio vulnificus can’t be seen, smelled, or even tasted. Don’t rely on 

determine if an oyster is safe.

MYTH: Alcohol kills harmful bacteria. 

FACT: Alcohol doesn’t destroy harmful bacteria but it can impair your good 

MYTH: Just a few oysters can’t hurt you. 

FACT: Roberta Hammond, PhD, the Food and Waterborne Disease Coordin

Florida, cites a case where a fatality caused by Vibrio vulnificus occurred afte

three oysters. The seriousness of any case depends on many factors, includin

bacteria are ingested and the person’s underlying health conditions. 

MYTH: Avoid raw oysters in months without the letter “R” and you’ll be saf

FACT: While presence of Vibrio vulnificus bacteria is higher in warmer mon

still be present in all but the coldest winter months. 

MYTH: Raw oysters are an aphrodisiac and will cure a hangover.

FACT: There is no scientific evidence that either of these commonly held bel

For further information contact:

FDA Food Safety Hotline (English only) 1-888-SAFEFOOD

FDA Web site: www.cfsan.fda.gov