How safe is eating raw oysters?

Question

What are the chances you get sick?

Answer 1

Pretty safe, I never got sick and I ate lots of em.
I saw this warning ...
WASHINGTON -- A consumer advocacy group warned against eating oysters from the Gulf of Mexico unless they have been cooked or treated to kill bacteria blamed for 15 to 20 deaths a year.

"Consumers can't afford to wait any longer for industry action," said Caroline Smith DeWaal, food safety director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

The Food and Drug Administration, however, says the only consumers who need to avoid raw gulf oysters are people especially vulnerable to the bacteria, such as diabetics, people with liver disease or suppressed immune systems.

"The FDA's advice has been and continues to be that people who are at high risk should not eat raw oysters," said Joseph Levitt, FDA's food safety chief.

Based on government reports, at least 85 deaths were related to the bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, from 1996 through 2000, including 16 last year, the Center for Science in the Public Interest said Monday. The cases are concentrated in the gulf states.

In high-risk people, the bacteria cause a blood infection that is fatal in half the cases. For healthy people, the bacteria may cause an upset stomach.

out of 300 milion 15 to 20 people, thats like 1 in 15million chances, probably much safer than driving to the store to buy them...
enjoy, and don't eat the pearls if you find any.

Answer 2

"There has been a lot of concern about the potential health hazards associated with eating oysters. Although there is always a slight health risk associated with eating raw or partially cooked oysters, the risk for a health adult is minimal. The concern exists because certain people can develop a severe and potentially fatal infection from a bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus. Most people will not develop this infection; however certain medical conditions place some people in a "high risk" category for contracting this bacterial infection. For these individuals, infection can cause serious illness or even death. People with weakened immune systems should always eat thoroughly cooked oysters and never eat them raw or partially cooked. The bacteria is completely killed if thoroughly cooked.

"So what is Vibrio vulnificus? Vibrio vulnificus is a bacteria that occurs naturally in the marine environment and is commonly found in warm, coastal waters like those characteristic of the Gulf of Mexico. Because it is not the result of pollution by animal or human fecal waste, it can be present in waters approved for the legal harvest of oysters and clams. So, regardless of the source of the oysters (clean or polluted waters, or open or closed reefs) the potential for infection still exists. Vibrio vulnificus may even continue to multiply within the oysters after they are harvested. Presence of the bacteria is difficult to detect because it causes no change in the appearance, taste, or odor of oysters. Only laboratory analysis can determine if the oyster is contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus.

Answer 3

You know what's even safer drinking water from a forest creek downwind from the chemical plant. Attached are the chances of getting sick: Raw Oysters 1:5
Chemical Waste 1:10

Capiche!

Answer 4

Eating raw oysters is currently very dangerous in various parts of the country. For instance in Northern Ca, the bacteria levels have risen in certain areas and made the oysters unfit to eat.
Also check the web for information relating to shellfish before ingesting or serving to anyone else

Answer 5

Just follow the rules :

Fresh oysters must be alive just before consumption. There is a simple criterion: oysters must be tightly closed; oysters that are already open are dead and must be discarded. To confirm if an open oyster is dead, tap the shell. A live oyster will close and is safe to eat, a dead oyster can also be closed however it will make a distinct noise when tapped and are called "clackers."

Answer 6

Raw seafood accounts for more than every other food poisoning combined. They are the least safe type of meat sold in the US and funny enough they are the least regulated. At legal Seafoods, we toss out 1 out of every 15 batches or so because the bacteria count is unsafe. But guess what., Legals is the obly restaurant in America that actually checks. Point blank, they are not safe.

Be careful

Answer 7

I live in New Orleans and I eat them on a regular basis from September to April. Those are the safest months because of the water temperatures. In 18 years I've been sick once. I will tell you it was probably the sickest I have ever been. I spent the night in the hospital. But for me it's worth the risk, so I keep on shuckin'.

Answer 8

if you get a bad one you'll get sick and die.

the safest precaution is to know where your oysters are from. farmed oysters are the safest. after that come natural sources that come from government inspected sites. you don't want to eat a raw oyster that's been laying in the shlt of 1000's of people or you're going to get hepatitis a and whatever else. other than that you want to make sure they've been properly refrigerated. i just don't eat them.

Answer 9

The chances of getting sick are about 1 in 5000--but do you want to take a chance?

Answer 10

Pretty safe I've eaten about 1,000 never got sick, and you usually can tell if they are bad by the smell. About as dangerous as eating chicken -- probably less, I know a few people who got salmonella from chicken. I don't know anybody who got sick from oysters.

And yes, they are nature's Viagra.