Secretary-general Phakdi Phothisiri said the FDA recently received a report from its US counterpart about cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) infections found in New York and Washing-ton. He said consuming uncooked seafood contaminated with the bacteria, particularly if it was stored in poorly refrigerated containers, could produce tell-tale symptoms of severe diarrhoea, high fever and stomach numbness.

Deputy secretary-general Manit Arunakura said for people who were more vulnerable to Vp infections, such as those with liver problems or bodies too weak to get rid of invading organisms, the infection could be fatal.

Phakdi said anyone with kidney disorders, diabetes or HIV/Aids was also highly susceptible to catching a fatal infection by Vp or other organisms, such  as salmonella and campylobacter.