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[PREPARING/STORING] [STORAGE] [HANDLING/ PREPARATION] [HIGH-RISK INDIVIDUALS]
High-Risk Individuals
Individuals with chronic liver disease or compromised immune systems should eat only cooked oysters. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration has advised that a common saltwater microorganism, Vibrio vulnificus, carried at times by oysters, especially in summer months from Gulf coast waters, can be the case of severe illness and death for individuals with such medical conditions as:
- Liver disease, including cirrhosis and hemochromatosis;
Chronic alcohol abuse; - Cancer (especially if taking anti-cancer drugs or radiation treatment);
- Diabetes Mellitus;
- Chronic kidney disease;
- Inflammatory bowel disease (or any person receiving immunosuppressive drugs);
- Steroid dependency (as used for conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.);
- Achlorhydria (a condition in which the normal acidity of the stomach is reduced or absent).
Since the microorganism is destroyed by heat, consumers with these conditions can enjoy cooked oysters in their many delicious preparations.
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Questions or comments: oysters@agr.state.tx.us
