Vibrio parahaemolyticus gastroenteritis (vibrio)

Vibrio spreads by eating or drinking unsafe (contaminated):

• water
• raw seafood such as shellfish, for example oysters or mussels, especially if it has not been stored at a safe temperature.

It is very rarely passed from person to person directly.

Symptoms usually start within 12 to 24 hours after you are infected. They tend to last for 1 to 7 days.

Symptoms of vibrio can include:

• runny poos (diarrhoea)
• upset stomach and throwing up (vomiting)
• fever.

If you think you have vibrio visit your healthcare provider. You may be asked to send a sample of your poo to a laboratory for testing.

If you still have the food that you think may have caused your illness, you should keep it until you speak with the public health service in your area. Samples of the food may be tested to confirm if this is what made you unwell. If it is not required for testing you can throw it away.

The role of public health

Vibrio is a notifiable disease. This means that healthcare providers or laboratories will inform public health when someone has it. This way, we can monitor how many people are sick and give advice on how to reduce its spread.

People you live with or have close contact with may also need to be tested to check if they have been infected too.

If you have vibrio you should stay away from work, school or early childhood centres until 2 days after the symptoms have stopped.

Make sure no one else eats any of the leftover food that may have caused the illness, or food that may have come into contact with that food.

Avoid sharing food, drinks, and utensils.

Do not go swimming or use a spa bath or hot tub if you have runny poos. You need to wait until at least 2 weeks after symptoms have gone.

Wash your hands with soapy water for 20 seconds, then dry well with a clean cloth or paper towel every time:

• after going to the toilet
• before preparing food, eating or drinking
• after changing nappies.

If you have symptoms, avoid preparing food for other people. If you must do so, wash and dry your hands well first.

Vibrio is an easily treatable disease. Most people can manage by drinking lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.

If you become severely dehydrated you may need to be given fluids directly into your vein (intravenously).

Seek health advice if your symptoms are severe or last for a long time. You can contact your doctor or usual healthcare provider, or call Healthline for free anytime on 0800 611 116

The best way to reduce your risk of getting vibrio is to make sure seafood is:

• refrigerated and stored properly
• cooked thoroughly before you eat it.

Make sure you wash your hands properly before and after preparing seafood.

Those at greater risk of becoming very unwell from vibrio should avoid eating raw or undercooked fish and shellfish. This includes:

• tamariki and rangatahi
• older people
• pregnant women
• those who are immunocompromised.