Mussels Linked to Rise in Food-Borne Illness

For shellfish lovers, the news might be hard to swallow.

A new study has linked the consumption of mussels with an increased risk of food-borne illness. The research, which was published in the journal "Preventive Medicine," found that people who ate mussels were more likely to get sick than those who didn't.

The study involved a survey of more than 1,000 people. Participants were asked about their eating habits and whether they had experienced any food-borne illness symptoms in the previous two weeks.

The results showed that those who ate mussels were more likely to report symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. They were also more likely to say that they had been hospitalized as a result of a food-borne illness.

The researchers believe that the high risk of food-borne illness is due to the fact that mussels can easily become contaminated with bacteria. In fact, one study found that nearly half of all mussels tested were contaminated with at least one type of bacteria.

This isn't the first time that mussels have been implicated in food-borne illness outbreaks. In 2013, for example, an outbreak of norovirus in Canada was linked to eating raw or undercooked mussels. And in 2015, an outbreak of E. coli in Germany was traced back to contaminated mussels.

So if you're planning on eating seafood this summer, it might be best to avoid raw or undercooked mussels. You can cook them by steaming them for three minutes or until they open up, or by boiling them for five minutes.

California Bans Imports of Mussels

On Monday, California's Department of Fish and Wildlife announced a ban on the import of mussels from state to state. The move comes after the discovery of a mussel infected with Dreissenid mussels, commonly known as quagga or zebra mussels.

This is the first time that quagga or zebra mussels have been found in California waters. Dreissenid mussels are an invasive species that can cause serious damage to ecosystems and infrastructure.

The ban will remain in effect until the department determines that it is safe to resume importing mussels. Mussels from approved sources outside of California may still be imported into the state.

Department officials said that they are working with the Mussel Industry Association of California to develop a plan for testing mussels for Dreissenid mussels.

Health Officials: Don't Eat Raw Mussels

State and local health officials are warning people in the Pacific Northwest not to eat raw mussels after they were found to contain a toxin.

The mussels were collected from two locations in Puget Sound and had detectable levels of domoic acid, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and even death.

While no illnesses have been reported yet, officials are urging people to avoid eating raw or undercooked mussels from this area. Cooking mussels will usually kill any toxins present.

People who have recently consumed raw mussels from Puget Sound are urged to watch for any symptoms of poisoning and contact their health care provider if they experience any problems.

Mussels Recalled in 10 States for Possible Hepatitis A Contamination

More than 2,000 pounds of frozen mussels have been recalled because they may be contaminated with Hepatitis A.

The mussels were distributed to retail locations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina and Texas.

So far, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled mussels.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease that can be caused by eating food or drinking water that is contaminated with the virus. Symptoms of the disease include fever, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In some cases, hepatic failure can occur and lead to death.

If you have purchased frozen mussels from any of the 10 states listed above, do not eat them. Throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

For more information on this recall, please visit the USDA's website .

CDC Warns of Mosquito-borne Illness Linked to Shellfish

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning the public about a rare mosquito-borne illness that has been linked to eating shellfish. The illness, called vibriosis, is caused by bacteria from the genus Vibrio. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. In severe cases, the illness can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition in which the body's immune system goes into overdrive and attacks its own organs.

So far this year, there have been 63 confirmed cases of vibriosis in the United States, including 12 cases that resulted in death. All of the deaths occurred in people who had pre-existing health conditions. The CDC reports that most of the cases were associated with consumption of raw oysters from the Gulf Coast.

Vibrio bacteria are present in coastal waters throughout the world and can cause infections when ingested through contaminated food or water. Shellfish such as oysters and clams are particularly vulnerable to contamination as they filter large quantities of water to feed. People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for developing vibriosis after exposure to Vibrio bacteria.

If you experience any of the symptoms of vibriosis after eating shellfish, please seek medical help immediately. Vibriosis can be treated with antibiotics if caught early enough, but it can be fatal in some cases. To reduce your risk of getting sick, always cook shellfish thoroughly before eating it and avoid eating raw oysters from questionable sources.