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Vibrio vulnificus illness associated with seafood from Lam's Seafood Market
| AT-A-GLANCE | |
|---|---|
| Cases | 1 |
| Hospitalizations | 0 |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Status | Investigation is complete |
| Location | 1221 S King St, Seattle, WA 98144 |
| Meal Date Range | June 30, 2025 |
| Illness Onset Date Range | July 1, 2025 |
| Current Inspection Rating | Good |
Summary
Public Health investigated one foodborne illness case of a person who got sick from Vibrio vulnificus, a type of bacteria, after buying live blue crabs from Lam's Seafood Market in Seattle. The person cooked and ate the crabs at home.
This is not a typical foodborne illness outbreak, which usually means two or more people got sick from the same contaminated food or drink. However, because Vibrio vulnificus can cause severe or even life-threatening infections, we're sharing this information to help people stay healthy and informed.
No other cases have been found, and our investigation is complete. Lam's Seafood Market worked closely with Public Health to help prevent further illnesses.
Illnesses
On July 1, one person reported getting sick with diarrhea and stomach pain. This person has fully recovered.
Public Health actions
Public Health visited Lam's Seafood Market in Seattle on July 15, 2025, and found several food safety issues that could have contributed to this person getting sick, including:
- Blue crabs were not handled or stored properly.
- Foods weren't kept cold enough (improper cold holding temperatures), including the blue crab.
- The seafood prep area had cleaning and sanitation problems.
- The live seafood tank wasn't clean.
- Some equipment was damaged or not approved to use by Public Health, making it hard to clean and increasing the risk of contamination.
We went back on July 29 and saw that many of these problems have been fixed. We're continuing to work with Lam's Seafood Market to improve food safety.
Laboratory testing
The sick person tested positive for two types of Vibrio bacteria (Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio fluvialis).
About Vibrio
What is Vibriosis?
Vibriosis is aninfection caused by Vibrio bacteria found in some coastal waters. People can get vibriosis after swallowing Vibrio (usually through contaminated seafood) or getting it in a cut, scrape or wound.
What are the symptoms?
Signs and symptoms vary depending on the type of Vibrio infection you have:
- Stomach illness: Fever, diarrhea (often watery), vomiting, and chills
- Bloodstream infection: Fever, dangerously low blood pressure, blistering skin lesions
- Wound infection: Fever, redness, pain, and swelling
Some types of Vibrio like Vibrio vulnificus, can cause severe and life-threatening infections. Especially if you have liver disease or a weakened immune system.
How it spreads
Vibrio infections are often linked to eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters. Contamination usually happens before harvest, especially in warm or brackish waters. Public health investigates reported Vibrio cases to reduce risks like:
- Shellfish harvested from unsafe areas
- Poor refrigeration (shellfish must be kept cold to prevent Vibrio growth)
- Cross-contamination during food preparation
- Sick food workers or poor hand hygiene
How can you prevent getting Vibriosis?
- Avoid eating and touching raw and undercooked seafood
- Cook seafood thoroughly before eating it, especially oysters
- Wash your hands with soap and water after touching raw or undercooked seafood
- Wear protective gloves when handling raw or undercooked seafood if you're at an increased risk for infection (e.g., if you have liver disease or a weakened immune system)
- Wash cuts, scrapes and open wounds thoroughly with soap and clean, running water after touching drippings from raw or undercooked seafood
- Stay out of salt water and brackish water (a mix of salt and fresh water) if you have any cuts, scrapes, or open wounds.
- If your cuts, scrapes, or open wounds touches salt water or brackish water, wash it well with soap and clean, running water
- If you get a cut, scrape or open wound while in the water, leave the water immediately and wash it well with soap and clean, running water
- Get medical help immediately if a wound looks infected