A YouTuber issued warnings about oysters after his girlfriend tragically passed away from consuming them, urging viewers to be cautious.
The YouTuber and his girlfriend were hospitalized for raw oyster consumption
In a recent incident, the popular YouTube personality Billy LeBlanc lost his girlfriend Natalie after they both contracted a serious illness from eating raw oysters.
YouTuber Billy LeBlanc, famous for his appearances on the ‘Bratayley’ channel, lost his girlfriend Natalie after they both contracted Vibrio Vulnificus from the popular meal.
They were both hospitalized, but only Billy survived.
“I’m sure none of you know but I recently almost died. I was in the hospital for 12 days,” the YouTuber wrote.
“Unfortunately Natalie didn’t make it and she passed away. I will always remember how we got lost everywhere together.
“I will always love her and miss her. Be safe and hold your loved ones tight you, never know when it’ll be the last time you see them,” he shared on social media.
This tragic incident has prompted health officials to warn about the risks associated with consuming this delicacy in its uncooked form.
What are Oysters?
Oysters, which are saltwater bivalve mollusks, are known for their ability to filter feed on algae and tiny organisms in the water around them.
However, this same filtering process can also lead to the accumulation of harmful bacteria, and viruses.
They even contain microplastics within the oysters themselves.
How dangerous this meal is?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 80,000 Americans fall ill each year from vibrio bacteria.
Remarkably, 65% of these cases are linked to consuming contaminated seafood, especially raw mollusks.
The most dangerous form, vibrio vulnificus, can cause severe symptoms like fever, chills, skin redness, blisters, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Tragically, one in five people who contract this infection end up losing their lives.
They contain norovirus
In addition to vibrio bacteria, raw oysters can also harbor norovirus.
This is a highly contagious virus that can trigger symptoms like stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Oysters collected from polluted waters or handled by infected individuals are particularly susceptible to carrying this virus.
Beyond foodborne illnesses, there is also growing concern about the potential health impacts of microplastics found in filter feeders.
While the full extent of how this may affect human health is still being studied, it is certainly a cause for concern.
How can we eat oysters safely?
Given these risks, health experts have provided some guidance on how to safely enjoy them.
Firstly, it is crucial to only purchase raw oysters from reputable suppliers and restaurants that adhere to strict food safety protocols.
When consuming them at home, the oysters should be stored in the refrigerator immediately.
However, the safest approach is to cook them thoroughly before eating.
This kills any potentially harmful bacteria or viruses present, greatly reducing the chances of falling ill.
Health authorities recommend that individuals with weakened immune systems, the elderly, pregnant women, and young children avoid raw oysters altogether.