2016-2017 Vibrio vulnificus Infections Associated with Handling Tilapia from Fish Tanks, Washington
In 2016-2017 Public Health Seattle King County (PHSKC) investigated the source of two reported cases of Vibrio vulnificus. Both case-patients sustained wounds while handling tilapia, a freshwater fish, purchased live from 2 retail fish markets before illness onset. PHSKC inspected both retail fish markets where patients purchased live tilapia ("Market A" and "Market B") and transport tanks from a common distributor. Fish specimens and swabs from fish tanks, utensils, and environmental surfaces were collected. V. vulnificus was identified from 2/2 fish and 7/7 environmental swabs collected from "Market A" where "Patient A" shopped, and 2/2 fish and 6/8 environmental swabs from "Market B" where "Patient B" shopped, and 1/2 fish and 3/5 transport tanks from "Distributor A". PFGE patterns differed between patients but matched investigation isolates; 3 environmental isolates from "Market A" matched "Patient A's" isolate and all isolates from "Market B" and "Distributor A" matched "Patient B's" isolate.
- Outbreak began:
- Unknown 2016
- Affected Country:
- US
- Affected States/Territories:
- Washington
- Organism(s):
-
- Vibrio
- Vehicle(s):
- Fish
- Molecular Results Available:
- Unknown
- Test Results:
- None
- Location(s):
- Retail fish tanks
- Brand Name(s):
- Total ill:
- 2
- Number ill by Case Definition Known:
- Yes
- Number Laboratory Confirmed Cases:
- 2
- Number Probable Cases:
- 0
- Number Possible Cases:
- 0
- Anyone Hospitalized:
- Yes
- Number Hospitalized:
- 1
- Any Deaths:
- No
- Number Dead:
- 0
- Any References:
- No