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Print   • Share   • E-mail  Raw Oyster Myths  Vibrio vulnificus
Health Education Kit  (Also available in Spanish (Español))  Raw
oysters contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus can be life
threatening, even fatal when eaten by someone with liver
disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system. However, there
are myths that encourage people to eat raw oysters in spite of
these dangers. Some of these myths, and the true facts behind
them, include:  MYTH: Eating raw oysters are safe if you drown
them in hot sauce, which kills everything.  Fact: The active
ingredients in hot sauce have no more effect on harmful bacteria
than plain water. Nothing but prolonged exposure to heat at a
high enough temperature will kill bacteria.  MYTH: Avoid oysters
from polluted waters and you'll be fine.  Fact: Vibrio
vulnificus in oysters has nothing to do with pollution. Rather
these bacteria thrive naturally in