Outbreak of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections associated with eating raw oysters--Pacific Northwest, 1997.

During July-August 1997, the largest reported outbreak in North America of culture-confirmed Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections occurred. Illness in 209 persons was associated with eating raw oysters harvested from California, Oregon, and Washington in the United States and from British Columbia (BC) in Canada; one person died. This report summarizes the investigations of the outbreak, which suggest that elevated water temperatures may have contributed to increased cases of illness and highlights the need for enhanced surveillance for human infections.