MANCHESTER, Mo. — A 54-year-old man recently died from a bacterial infection after eating raw oysters purchased at a Manchester business.

That’s according to the St. Louis County Department of Public Health (DPH), which is warning customers to dispose of oysters bought from The Fruit Stand & Seafood, located at 14433 Manchester Road.

The victim was treated at a hospital for Vibrio vulnificus, which is bacteria that can be carried by oysters and other shellfish, according to DPH. He later died Thursday.

“There is no evidence that the business did anything to contaminate the oysters, which likely were already contaminated when the establishment received them,” a health alert by DPH states.

The rest of the oysters from the business were embargoed by DPH, and investigators are trying to determine where they came from.

“The results of our investigation are being reported to the state Department of Health and Senior Services. The Fruit Stand & Seafood employees are cooperating with DPH in the investigation,” the health alert states.

While symptoms of vibriosis, the disease caused by the bacteria, include abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills, the health alert says severe illness and death are rare and commonly occur in people with a weakened immune system.

Below are ways to reduce the risk of vibriosis as stated in the health alert:

• Don’t eat raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish. Cook them before eating.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw shellfish.
• Avoid contaminating cooked shellfish with raw shellfish and its juices.
• Stay out of salt water or brackish water if you have a wound (including from a recent surgery, piercing, or tattoo), or cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if there’s a possibility it could come into contact with salt water or brackish water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices. Brackish water is a mixture of fresh and salt water. It is often found where rivers meet the sea.
• Wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water if they have been exposed to seawater or raw seafood or its juices.
• If you develop a skin infection, tell your medical provider if your skin has come into contact with salt water or brackish water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices.

For more information about the bacterial disease and read the full health alert, click here.