News Flash (1998 Weeks 13-34)

News Flash (Weeks 1-12 of 1998)

Vibrio parahaemolyticus enteritis: The Bahamas

Discussions with Ministry of Health officials as well as Caribbean newspaper reports have confirmed the usually expected seasonal occurrence of cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus gastroenteritis in the Bahamas. These infections have been associated with the consumption of raw conch.

This Vibrio species is transmitted through the ingestion of raw or inadequately cooked seafood, or any food that may be cross-contaminated through handling of raw seafood, or by rinsing with contaminated seawater. Inappropriate time-temperature management, such as holding of the contaminated food at room temperature while it marinates, facilitates the multiplication of these organisms to infective levels.

The following preventive measures are recommended:

	Consumers must be educated about the risks associated with consumption of raw seafood;
	Seafood handlers must ensure that cooked seafood reaches temperatures adequate to kill the organism by heating for 15 minutes at 70 degrees C.
	Cooked seafood must be handled in such a manner that precludes its contamination from raw seafood or contaminated sea water.
	All seafood, both raw and cooked, should be adequately refrigerated before eating.
	The use of seawater should be avoided in food-handling areas.

Brucellosis: Trinidad and Tobago

An outbreak of brucellosis among cows was recently documented in an area of central Trinidad. Epidemiologic investigation of this outbreak is still in progress and suspected human cases are being investigated.

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