Vibrio Species in Seafood

Vibrio is a bacteria associated with contaminated water and shellfish that can cause gastro-intestinal illness.

There are several symptoms of Vibrio gastro-intestinal illness, the most common of which is watery diarrhoea. However, symptoms of stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills have also been reported by sufferers.

Symptoms usually start within 1 day of eating contaminated food and last for approximately 3 days. Vibrio illness is usually self-limiting but may be more serious for people with underlying health conditions.

Vibrio bacteria is present in water and is usually associated with warm, salty, coastal waters. Most cases of Vibrio illness are caused by the consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. Shellfish are filter feeders so become contaminated from water containing Vibrio. If contaminated shellfish is consumed, it can lead to gastrointestinal illness.

Alternatively, people can become ill through exposure of open wounds to contaminated water.

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of cases of gastrointestinal illness caused by Vibrio species. Several factors have been attributed to this increase.

• Global warming - global temperature has risen therefore increasing the temperature of water creating more favourable condition for Vibrio to thrive.
• Demographic changes and population growth in coastal areas e.g increase in tourists as foreign travel increases.
• Increased recreational use of water- as more people are using water for recreational purposes, the greater the opportunity for people to become ill.
• Changes in pattern of seafood consumption.

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The article is written by our expert at Precision Analysis — A Tentamus Company , Head of Microbiology, Fiona Croft.