Woman Dies After Eating Oysters At Atlanta Restaurant

Health officials said Monday that a Fulton County woman died after eating raw oysters at an Atlanta restaurant.

A corporate chef with Spondivits Seafood and Steaks in Hapeville confirmed that health officials are investigating the restaurant on Virginia Avenue near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Corporate chef Glenn Gagne says the restaurant will not serve oysters again until cooler weather.

Officials said the woman’s death and possible link to oysters had been under investigation for several weeks. The woman, whose name has not been released, died in August.

Authorities want to warn people against eating raw shellfish because of the possibility it could be contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus -- the bacteria linked to the woman’s death.

Officials said the bacteria can cause death or serious illness in people with a variety of medical conditions, including diabetes, liver disease, alcoholism, cancer, HIV/AIDS and stomach disorders.

In healthy people the bacteria may cause a mild stomach upset.

Georgia reported four deaths from the bacteria last year.