INFECTIOUS HEPATITIS TRACED TO THE CONSUMPTION OF RAW OYSTERS

Abstract

An epidemic of infectious hepatitis traced to the consumption of raw oyster is reported. During the first 3 months of 1961, 80 oyster-related cases occurred in Mississippi and Alabama. The oysters as-sociated with hepatitis were harvested from heavily contaminated waters at the mouth of the Pascagoula River. The cases were predominantly in adults belonging to the middle or upper socioeconomic groups. Males were involved more frequently than females. A history of ingestion of shellfish should be included in the routine investigation of infectious hepatitis. This epidemic emphasizes the importance of an adequate program for preventing the sale of shellfish growing in contaminated waters.