What diseases can shellfish transmit?

Shellfish can transmit a variety of diseases, primarily due to their ability to accumulate pathogens from contaminated waters. The correct answer identifies a range of illnesses that can be associated with shellfish consumption, which include dysentery, infectious hepatitis, cholera, and typhoid fever.

Dysentery is caused by bacteria or parasites that can be present in polluted waters. Shellfish that filter-feed from these waters can accumulate pathogens leading to gastrointestinal illnesses. Infectious hepatitis, primarily due to the Hepatitis A virus, can also be transmitted through contaminated shellfish, especially when they are harvested from waters polluted with fecal matter. Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, can be linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish from contaminated waters. Similarly, typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella typhi, can occasionally be transmitted through shellfish that have been in contact with sewage-contaminated water.

Understanding the potential for shellfish to transmit these diseases is crucial for food safety practices, especially in establishments that serve seafood. It highlights the importance of sourcing shellfish from reputable suppliers and ensuring proper cooking methods to mitigate health risks associated with these pathogens.