Presentation Abstract
Vibrio parahaemolyticus is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness associated with seafood consumption worldwide. V. parahaemolyticus is a native bacterium to Salish Sea coastal waters and present in higher quantities during summer months. Humans who consume raw or undercooked shellfish, most commonly oysters, containing V. parahaemolyticus can develop a gastrointestinal illness. Typically self-limiting, V. parahaemolyticus infections can also lead to life-threatening skin infections or septicemia, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. The Washington State Department of Health (Health) manages V. parahaemolyticus through regular environmental sampling during summer months, implementing a V. parahaemolyticus Control Plan for the commercial shellfish industry, and issuing health advisories for recreational harvesters. Even with these measures in place, the numbers of V. parahaemolyticus illnesses have not declined in Washington and nationally V. parahaemolyticus-related illnesses are on the rise. V. parahaemolyticus is a highly temperature-dependent bacterium, with doubling rates of about 1.5 hours at 80⁰F. Understanding how shellfish exposure to high temperatures in intertidal areas influences the illness-causing potential of V. parahaemolyticus is a key component of Health’s Vibrio Program. The need for this data is made more critical by the potential for illness reports to increase with warming waters. As we experience climate change, it is essential to gain a more thorough understanding of how V. parahaemolyticus interacts with the dynamic Salish Sea ecosystem. V. parahaemolyticus will likely thrive with warmer water temperatures as well as warmer air temperatures with a greater number of sunny days in the summer months. Although lacking long-term datasets, recent annual variability in conditions such as the record-breaking weather in the summer of 2013 may provide a glimpse of things to come and valuable insights into how shellfish managers, harvesters, and consumers may need to adapt to a changing marine environment.
Session Title
Session S-08A: Harmful Algal Blooms, Climate, Shellfish, and Public Health - Emerging Issues in a Changing World
Conference Track
Harmful Algal Blooms and Shellfish
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2-5-2014 8:30 AM
End Date
2-5-2014 10:00 AM
Location
Room 615-616-617
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Vibrio parahaemolyticus--Washington (State); Shellfish--Seasonal variations--Washington (State); Shellfish trade--Washington (State)
Subjects – Names (LCNAF)
Washington (State). Department of Health
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Washington (State)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Shellfish Safety
Room 615-616-617
Vibrio parahaemolyticus is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness associated with seafood consumption worldwide. V. parahaemolyticus is a native bacterium to Salish Sea coastal waters and present in higher quantities during summer months. Humans who consume raw or undercooked shellfish, most commonly oysters, containing V. parahaemolyticus can develop a gastrointestinal illness. Typically self-limiting, V. parahaemolyticus infections can also lead to life-threatening skin infections or septicemia, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. The Washington State Department of Health (Health) manages V. parahaemolyticus through regular environmental sampling during summer months, implementing a V. parahaemolyticus Control Plan for the commercial shellfish industry, and issuing health advisories for recreational harvesters. Even with these measures in place, the numbers of V. parahaemolyticus illnesses have not declined in Washington and nationally V. parahaemolyticus-related illnesses are on the rise. V. parahaemolyticus is a highly temperature-dependent bacterium, with doubling rates of about 1.5 hours at 80⁰F. Understanding how shellfish exposure to high temperatures in intertidal areas influences the illness-causing potential of V. parahaemolyticus is a key component of Health’s Vibrio Program. The need for this data is made more critical by the potential for illness reports to increase with warming waters. As we experience climate change, it is essential to gain a more thorough understanding of how V. parahaemolyticus interacts with the dynamic Salish Sea ecosystem. V. parahaemolyticus will likely thrive with warmer water temperatures as well as warmer air temperatures with a greater number of sunny days in the summer months. Although lacking long-term datasets, recent annual variability in conditions such as the record-breaking weather in the summer of 2013 may provide a glimpse of things to come and valuable insights into how shellfish managers, harvesters, and consumers may need to adapt to a changing marine environment.
