More Sickened By Tainted Shellfish In Connecticut

STAMFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- More people have been sickened by tainted shellfish in Connecticut.

David Carey, director of the Connecticut Bureau of Aquaculture, said 32 cases are either confirmed or under investigation.

Fourteen of those are connected to clams or oysters harvested from beds off Westport and Norwalk. Five cases have been confirmed from harvest areas in other states and 13 other case are unconfirmed, Carey said.

"We have 14 confirmed right in the Norwalk/Westport growing area within a 30-day period, that's pretty alarming," Carey said.

Shellfish from Westport and Norwalk were recalled last week and state officials ordered most shellfish harvest locations closed after five people were reported sick from the naturally occurring bacteria.

The bacteria is not life-threatening, but it can cause diarrhea and other intestinal problems. Symptoms usually appear 12-24 hours after eating contaminated shellfish, and can last two to seven days.

Infections can be life-threatening for immune-compromised people or those with chronic liver disease.

Also at greater risk are people who regularly take antacids, heart, or diabetes medication, and those who have had antibiotic or cancer treatments recently. Consumers with questions about their individual risks related to shellfish consumption should contact their doctors, according to state officials.

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