Emergence of a New Vibrio parahaemolyticus Serotype in Raw Oysters

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Abstract
Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection is usually associated with eating raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters. Although V parahaemolyticus is the leading cause of Vibrio-associated gastroenteritis in the United States,1,2 outbreaks have rarely been reported before 1997.3,4 In Asia, particularly in Japan and Taiwan, V parahaemolyticus infections are commonly reported. Many recent V parahaemolyticus infections in Asia have been caused by serotype O3:K6.5 The outbreak described herein, which was caused by contaminated raw oysters ingested during late May, June, and early July 1998, was one of the largest V parahaemolyticus outbreaks ever reported.