Imported Crab Meat Sickens 8 In Maryland, 4 Hospitalized Overall

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A fresh warning has been issued to Marylanders urging them not to eat fresh or pre-cooked crab meat imported from Venezuela because of an infection risk. State and federal health officials are investigating a cluster of Vibrio infections in people who reported eating "fresh" (non-pasteurized) crab meat — from a plastic tub — with a label indicating that it is imported from Venezuela. As of Friday, eight people in Maryland and one in the District of Columbia have been sickened by the contaminated crab meat; four have been hospitalized in the outbreak.

The imported crab meat is sold under different brand names and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not released the names of any retailers or restaurants that may have carried or served the suspected product. Maryland crab product has not been associated with the illnesses.

The implicated foods have been prepared in both household and restaurant settings, and include a variety of dishes, such as crab cakes, seafood salad containing crab, and crab benedict.

Illnesses began April 1 and were reported through July 3; there have been no deaths. Food contaminated with the Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria may look, smell, and taste normal. Symptoms of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection include watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

The lump crabproduct is commonly found in plastic tubs and may be labeled as “pre-cooked,” says the FDA. Federal and state health officials are still trying to determine the source of contaminated fresh crab meat and ensure it is removed from the food supply. Retailers should not serve or sell fresh crab meat imported from Venezuela, the agency says.

Vibrio infections can be caused by ingestion of water with the organism or shellfish and by direct skin exposure to Vibrio-containing salt or brackish water, including waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. However, none of the individuals have reported contact with water as a likely cause of illness.

Anyone who has recently eaten imported crab meat from Venezuela and is experiencing any symptoms of illness should consult their primary care provider.

Contact your health care provider for any diarrheal illness that is accompanied by:

• High fever (temperature over 101.5 F, measured by mouth)
• Blood in the stools
• Prolonged vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down (because this can lead to dehydration)
• Signs of dehydration, including a decrease in urination, a dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up
• Diarrhea lasting more than 3 days

Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell imported fresh crab meat from Venezuela, and dispose of any crab meat from the country, including cooked crab meat, the FDA says.

Consumers should check the label on the crab meat that was purchased at the retail level or verify in restaurants to ensure that it is not imported from Venezuela. If you have some of the product you should throw it out.

Always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food. For food preparation surfaces and food cutting utensils that may have come in contact with potentially contaminated crab meat, you must thoroughly clean these areas and items.

For general food safety advice regarding fish and shellfish, here are some steps you can take to prevent Vibrio:

• When ordering shellfish in restaurants, ask that they be fully cooked unless they have been treated with a method to reduce Vibrio (such as pressure treatment).
• Keep raw foods from touching cooked foods and surfaces used for cooking and eating.

The FDA encourages consumers with questions about food safety to call 1-888-SAFEFOOD or consult the fda.gov website: http://www.fda.gov.

Image via Shutterstock