Town of Darien Offers Clarification Regarding Vibrio Infections and Swimmer's Itch

Vibrio Infections and Swimmer's Itch

Please be aware that the Connecticut Department of Public Health issued a press release on Friday regarding "Vibrio infections caused by consumption of raw shellfish or exposure to salt or brackish water." https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Press-Room/Press-Releases---2023/Vibrio

The Department of Agriculture Bureau of Aquaculture was not given ample time to review and respond to this press release before it was issued. Although not the intent, the information could be misinterpreted to imply that Connecticut shellfish is associated with Vibrio vulnificus infections. This is not the case and has never been the case. 

Vibrio Infections

Vibrio vulnificus is a public health concern for wound infections in Long Island Sound, but has never been linked to shellfish consumption. Other parts of the county, like the south, do have Vibrio vulnificus cases from shellfish consumption and are required to implement Vibrio vulnificus controls. In Connecticut, all commercial harvesters must implement their annual Vibrio parahaemolyticus controls, and all recreational harvesters should follow safe practices when shellfishing (e.g. do not enter the water with a cut/wound, thoroughly and immediately clean any wounds that occur while recreating in the water, cover any cuts/wounds with waterproof bandages, etc.) and practices to properly collect, transport, and prepare shellfish (e.g. keep shellfish shaded and out of the direct sun while harvesting, place shellfish on ice immediately after harvest, properly refrigerate shellfish, thoroughly cooking shellfish does eliminate Vibrios since they are bacteria, etc.).

The press release outlines three Vibrio vulnificus cases that have been reported to DPH this year. One was an individual who consumed out-of-state shellfish at an out-of-state establishment. The other two cases are strictly wound infections. The press release also discusses "five (Vibrio vulnificus) cases were reported in 2020 in Connecticut," which is specifically regarding wound infections. 

As always, if you are uncomfortable answering questions or do not know the answers to questions, particularly regarding shellfish sanitation and public health, posed by the general public, permit holders, reporters, etc., please feel free to refer them to our office. As a reminder, we do have a Vibrio webpage Vibrio (ct.gov) and a recreational harvester and Vibrio guidance document 2022-Recreational-Shellfish-Harvesting-and-Vibrio.pdf (ct.gov) on our website. Thank you to those that are already providing the guidance document to permit holders and reminding people to ice their product via hotlines and while patrolling the areas. It has been a hot and rainy summer - let us all enjoy shellfishing safely!

We are collecting samples from statewide commercial growing areas this week as part of our routine Vibrio monitoring (Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus), and will be preparing a press release regarding Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio levels in shellfish ASAP.

Emily Marquis
Environmental Analyst II
Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Specialist
Connecticut Department of Agriculture 
Bureau of Aquaculture and Laboratory

Swimmer's Itch

Information on Swimmer's Itch: To reduce the risk of Swimmer's Itch shower and dry off with a towel immediately after leaving the beach water. This includes thoroughly rinsing areas beneath the bathing suit.