Food poisoning is no joke, as the consequences can be painful, and in worst-case scenarios, it can lead to death. Certain food can be yummy but the hygiene prospect always has to be taken seriously.
Take Mr Bean for example. If you grew up watching his shows, his episode with the rotten raw oysters is certainly the one to remember. Bean happily consumed the raw oysters without checking on them and had a bucket ready by his bed, just in case he throws up. Just how dangerous a raw oyster can be?
Public Health Malaysia recently made a brief Facebook post about the dangers of consuming raw, uncooked oysters as the food contains harmful bacteria, precisely known as Vibrio parahaemolyticus which runs rampant in beach areas, or marine and coastal areas. That explains why the bacteria can easily be found NOT only in oysters but also in other seafood like clams.
Here’s how dangerous and “tricky” the bacteria can be.
The bacteria multiplies at room temperature. Oysters that contain the Vibrio parahaemolyticus look and smell similar to oysters WITHOUT the bacteria.
When the bacteria strikes
What if you ingested the bacteria? We wish we could tell you nothing serious would follow but truthfully, you’re in for a really painful “ride”.
If consumed, usually through uncooked or raw shellfish, the bacteria is known to cause watery diarrhoea. But that’s not all.
Abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting fever and chills are expected to follow within 24 hours, and the illness can last up to three days. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, infection by this bacteria is common in Asia. However, Public Health Malaysia also revealed that this disease is not to be taken lightly as it affected as many as 80,000 people in the United States of America, with more than 100 deaths every year.
While the number of death can be significantly lower, this doesn’t mean you can take the consequences lightly. It is best to consume appropriately-cooked oysters. We wish Mr Bean would’ve known this earlier!
Also read: Love Cheese? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Eat Too Much of It!
