The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has temporarily suspended shellfish harvesting from a portion of the Delaware Bay. The suspension began at August 19 after health officials had confirmed two cases of illness linked to oysters harvested from the bay. The illness was caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a bacterium that can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and, less frequently, headache, fever and chills. On rare occasions, an infection in the bloodstream can occur. Vibrio parahaemolyticus is especially prone to cause problems for people with compromised immune systems. Vibrio parahaemolyticus occurs naturally in coast waters. Since it thrives in warm waters, a majority of the cases occur during warm summer months when people consume sea food contaminated with the bacterium.
Delaware Bay is a large estuary outlet of the Delaware River on the Atlantic coast of the United States. The bay is bordered by the states New Jersey and Delaware. The entire bay is 782 square miles (2,030 km²) in area, but only about 130 square miles (337 km²) of Delaware Bay is affected by the suspension. If you wish to see a map of the affected area, take a look at this PDF-file:
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/wms/bmw/Closures_Revocations/HarvSusp20080818signed.pdf
The public notice has been posted on the DEP website: http://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2008/08_0042.htm
Check out the website rawoysteralert.com. I was shocked to learn that several individuals die each year from the consumption of raw oysters that are contaminated with naturally occurring Vibrio bacteria. Some gulf states have chosen to not take action in order to make raw oysters safe for ALL consumers.
Several years ago, the state of California made a requirement that all imported raw oysters must be pasteurized and since that requirement was put into place there have been NO FURTHER DEATHS in that state.
In order to affect change, consumers need to only accept oysters that are SAFE through post harvest processing or through being cooked. Consumer demand drives the market and the industry would be forced to provide oysters that did not lead to unnecessary deaths.
The website has a wealth of information available and also explains how you can help in making the consumption of oysters safe for everyone.