Vibrios are associated with live seafood as they form part of the indigenous microflora of the marine environment. Foodborne infections with Vibrio spp. are common in Asia. In Hong Kong, V. parahaemolyticus continued to be the top causative agent among all the reported food poisoning outbreaks in recent years. According to the figures provided by the Department of Health (DH), 552 confirmed V. parahaemolyticus food poisoning outbreaks affecting 2725 persons were reported during 1999 to 2003. Among these 552 outbreaks, 313 (56.7%) were due to consumption of seafood. Inadequate cooking (59.7%) and contamination by raw food (23.6%) were the main contribution factors for these cases. Cholera appears as sporadic diseases in Hong Kong. Information from the DH showed that there were totally 49 local cholera cases reported during 1999 to 2003. The suspected food item was identified in about half of the cases, of which, seafood accounted for about 80%. According to a Study on the Ecology of V. cholerae in Marine Water and Live Seafood, water samples taken from typhoon shelters and shoreline waters were found to have higher chance of detecting V. cholerae from open waters and fish culture zones. Water samples which were tested positive for V. cholerae also have higher E. coli counts. The results also implied that if V. cholerae is the concern for the abstraction of seawater for keeping live seafood, both the site where the water is abstracted and the E. coli count are important parameters to be considered. Good manufacturing practices should always be observed by the trade to minimise the risk of cholera and vibrio food poisoning associated with the consumption of seafood products. Hygienic quality of fish tank water in particular the source water for keeping live seafood is also important.
Vibrios are associated with live seafood as they form part of the indigenous microflora of the marine environment. Foodborne infections with Vibrio spp. are common in Asia. In Hong Kong, V. parahaemolyticus continued to be the top causative agent among all the reported food poisoning outbreaks in recent years. According to the figures provided by the Department of Health (DH), 552 confirmed V. parahaemolyticus food poisoning outbreaks affecting 2725 persons were reported during 1999 to 2003. Among these 552 outbreaks, 313 (56.7%) were due to consumption of seafood. Inadequate cooking (59.7%) and contamination by raw food (23.6%) were the main contribution factors for these cases. Cholera appears as sporadic diseases in Hong Kong. Information from the DH showed that there were totally 49 local cholera cases reported during 1999 to 2003. The suspected food item was identified in about half of the cases, of which, seafood accounted for about 80%. According to a Study on the Ecology of V. cholerae in Marine Water and Live Seafood, water samples taken from typhoon shelters and shoreline waters were found to have higher chance of detecting V. cholerae from open waters and fish culture zones. Water samples which were tested positive for V. cholerae also have higher E. coli counts. The results also implied that if V. cholerae is the concern for the abstraction of seawater for keeping live seafood, both the site where the water is abstracted and the E. coli count are important parameters to be considered. Good manufacturing practices should always be observed by the trade to minimise the risk of cholera and vibrio food poisoning associated with the consumption of seafood products. Hygienic quality of fish tank water in particular the source water for keeping live seafood is also important.
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