A man died of a bacteria infection over Labor Day weekend after eating raw oysters at a restaurant in Galveston, Texas, days prior, according to a local report.
The unnamed man ate the oysters at an island restaurant Aug. 29 and was hospitalized Aug. 31, FOX26 Houston reported Monday. He passed away days later over the holiday weekend.
The deceased 30-something-year-old had underlying health issues, Dr. Philip Keiser with the Galveston County Local Health Authority told FOX26. Authorities are investigating the man’s death, as well as the batch of oysters from the unnamed restaurant.
Galveston death: Man in 30s dies after eating raw oysters from restaurant, officials issue warning https://t.co/rflKdIasmG pic.twitter.com/1XN9zs7ywZ
— FOX26Houston (@FOX26Houston) September 11, 2023
“He had problems with his liver,” Keiser said. “He also had some other problems, and he had to take some medication that suppressed his immune system. It just so happens that the conditions that he had really predisposed him to an overwhelming infection with Vibrio Vulnificus.” (RELATED: Salmonella Outbreak Causes Cookie Dough Recall)
“We’ve actually gone to the restaurant where he was eating, and we pulled the oysters from the shelf,” Keiser said. “There are tags to them, so we can identify the lots, and the state is actually analyzing them to see if we can find the bug in a particular lot of oysters.”
Extreme summer temperatures combined with warm coastal waters exacerbated the bacterium, health authorities told FOX26. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautioned people about eating raw seafood, as well as swimming in coastal waters if they have open wounds. Those infected by the bacterium may exhibit symptoms including nausea, vomiting and a fast-spreading skin rash, according to the outlet.