Hey Mamas!
Oysters are the talk of the town recently with food poisoning circulating all over social media this week. And being that we are all about helping you mamas, here’s everything you need to know about shellfish food poisoning in case it happens in your household.
Eating raw or undercooked oysters can cause food poisoning, as they can harbor harmful bacteria such as Vibrio, E. coli, and Norovirus. Depending on the type of microorganism or toxin present, oyster food poisoning symptoms can vary, but they commonly include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and, in some cases, dehydration.
To reduce the risk of food poisoning, it is recommended to only eat oysters that have been properly shucked and stored at the correct temperature, and to cook them thoroughly before eating them. It is also important to practice good hygiene when handling raw oysters, and to avoid consuming them if you have a compromised immune system.
There are many ways that food can become contaminated, including:
Improper handling and preparation: Food that is not handled or prepared properly can become contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
Cross-contamination: Food can become contaminated if it comes into contact with other contaminated food or surfaces.
Undercooking: Eating undercooked meat or eggs can cause food poisoning if they contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli.
Eating raw or undercooked shellfish: Eating raw or undercooked shellfish can cause food poisoning, as they can contain harmful bacteria such as Vibrio or viruses such as norovirus.
Consuming food past its expiration date
Contaminated water or soil: Food that is grown in contaminated water or soil can become contaminated with harmful microorganisms.
Recently, there have been a lot of food poisoning cases from oyster consumption in the NCR and it is likely due to the red tide season the Philippines is currently facing.
Last Jan 25, 2023, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources announced that shellfishes collected and tested from the following areas are still positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) or toxic red tide that is beyond the regulatory limit.
- Coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate
- Coastal waters of Panay
- Coastal waters of President Roxas,
- Coastal waters of Pilar in Capiz,
- Coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol
- Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur
- Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur
- San Pedro Bay in Samar
- Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte
They mentioned that all types of shellfish and acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the areas mentioned above are NOT SAFE for human consumption.
If you suspect that you or your kids have food poisoning, here are things you can do to help with the discomfort.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water or clear fluids to prevent dehydration. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol, as they can dehydrate you further.
Rest: Get plenty of rest to allow your body to recover.
Over-the-counter medication: You can take over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or bismuth subsalicylate to help relieve symptoms such as stomach cramps, nausea, or diarrhea. These medicines can be dangerous for infants and children.
For Children: Talk with a doctor before giving your child an over-the-counter medicine but you can help them by keeping them hydrated with drinks filled with electrolytes.
For infants: You can give small amounts of whatever your baby normally takes such as breast milk or formula. You can also give your baby an electrolyte drink such as Pedialyte. Don’t forget to talk with a doctor about giving these solutions to your infant.
If symptoms persist or worsen seek medical attention.
There you go mamas. So don’t forget to stay safe when eating oysters or other shellfish.
Sources
Shellfish bulletin no. 03 series of 2023 |. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://www.bfar.da.gov.ph/shellfish-bulletin-no-02-2022/
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Treatment for food poisoning. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/food-poisoning/treatment