Some states display notices for those at risk. Use them as reminders of how to avoid illness. Use small pots to boil or steam oysters. Do not cook too many oysters in the same pot, because the ones in the middle may not get fully cooked. Discard any oysters that do not open during cooking.
Steam live oysters four to nine minutes in a steamer that s already steaming.
Fry in oil for at least three minutes at 375 F. Broil 3 inches from heat for three minutes. The culturing of the organism from wounds, diarrheic stools or blood is used to diagnose the illness. The infective dose for gastrointestinal symptoms in healthy individuals is unknown, but for predisposed persons, septicemia can occur with doses of less than 100 total organisms. No major outbreaks of illness have been attributed to this organism. Sporadic cases have occurred in South Carolina, becoming more prevalent during the warmer months.