10:32 AM MST on Friday, July 21, 2006

By GARY CHITTIM / KING 5 TV News

SEATTLE – State health officials say they have an outbreak of shellfish illnesses on their hands and have now announced immediate closures of some beds to try to stop it.

KING

Health officials say high water temperatures in Puget Sound are boosting levels of natural bacteria in shellfish and they recommend giving up raw oysters for the time being.

They shucked oysters in Shoreline Thursday, but nobody's eating them. State Public Health Lab workers are looking for a sinister bacteria that has already attacked dozens of raw oyster eaters.

"In the past week we have had 45 cases of illnesses reported to us caused by vibrio parahaemolyticus," said Dr. Jo Hoffman, State Dept. of Health.

Health officials say the victims all got it from eating raw oysters.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus causes what's perhaps best described as an explosive digestive problem that can stay with a healthy person for three to five days. It can be fatal to people with liver problems, diabetes or other weaknesses.

But it can all be avoided by simply cooking the oysters to 145 degrees, which kills the bacteria.

But to be on the safe side, health officials have identified five commercial and recreational areas linked to the outbreak and have closed them down.

"Hood Canal 4, 5, 8, Eld Inlet, and Totten Inlet," said Nancy Napolilli, State Dept. of Health.

That affects some of the richest shellfish beds in Puget Sound.

And because health officials believe the outbreak is connected to rising water and surface temperatures, they're urging everyone to avoid any raw oysters until things cool off.

The illness has been reported by raw oyster eaters in other states who've consumed Washington State oysters and the numbers will get higher.

"It's probably just the tip of the iceberg. There are probably many other cases we don't know about, particularly in other states where the connection isn't made," said Dr. Hoffman.

A lot of savvy oyster eaters just make it a rule not to eat them raw anyway during warm months – only during months with an 'R' in its name is the famous motto.

Health officials say that's a good idea and warn you really don't want to get this illness.

Health officials say each year they get about 20 reports of the illness, so when they reached nearly 50 in two weeks, they felt it was time to act.

There are exceptionally low tides during these hot days, so recreational oyster harvesters need to pay special attention.