Oysters are filter-feeding animals that can concentrate Vibrio bacteria from the water into their system. Eating raw oysters with hot sauce or while drinking alcohol does not kill the bacteria, either. When eating shellfish, particularly oysters, be sure they are properly and thoroughly cooked. Thorough cooking kills the Vibrio bacteria and markedly reduces the risk of becoming ill. However, steaming oysters as is done at an oyster roast does not always provide enough heat to kill all the Vibrio bacteria.
Additional heating is necessary to impart a noticeable cooked appearance.
Avoid cross-contamination of previously cooked shellfish with raw shellfish. A common cause of cross-contamination is storing cooked shellfish in the original container used for raw shellfish, or storing raw and cooked shellfish in the same area. Even drinking two to three drinks each day can cause liver disease, which may have no symptoms. Liver disease will put you at increased risk for V. vulnificus infection from raw oysters. The risk of death is almost 200 times greater in those with liver disease than those without liver disease.