Vibrio parahaemolyticus Rule Process

Background
Rule process: timeline and documents
Advisory Committee meeting information
Advisory Committee Members 
Proposed rule
Comments / suggestions / concerns

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Background

Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) is a naturally occurring marine bacteria that accumulates in oysters.  In small numbers, Vp presents no threat to human health, but warm temperatures of summer can cause the bacteria to multiply rapidly.  Oysters containing sufficient numbers of Vp can cause illness in humans, called vibriosis, if the oysters are consumed raw. 

In the summer of 2006, there were an unprecedented number of vibriosis cases in Washington.  In an effort to reduce Vp-caused illnesses in the following summer, an emergency rule that defined harvest restrictions during warm weather, drafted with input from the commercial shellfish industry, Washington Treaty Tribes, the FDA, and other interested stakeholders, was placed into effect for the months of June through September 2007.  The emergency rule expired September 30, 2007, and a more permanent rule is now needed to address the special circumstances surrounding Vibrio parahaemolyticus and the harvest of Washington shellfish. 

An advisory committee was formed to discuss the issues surrounding Vp in oysters and how to prevent vibrio illnesses during the warm summer months.  The advisory committee met several times in November and December 2007 to discuss options, methods, and implementation of a strategy to control Vp in oysters during the warm summer months.  The committee drafted a Vp rule that will be presented to the State Board of Health for approval and final adoption into WAC by June 2008.  Input from industry members, Tribes, and other interested stakeholders is encouraged in this process.

This web site has been created to keep all interested parties abreast of the status of the Vibrio rule making process.  Suggestions for additions or improvements to this page are welcome.

Rule Process

• Process Timeline  (pdf)
• Rule Documents
  • CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (pdf)  
  • CR-102 Proposed Rule Making (pdf)

Meetings

Organizational Meeting, October 17, 2007

• Agenda (pdf)
• Presentation:  The Washington Vp Control Plan for 2007 (PowerPoint)
• Confirmed Illnesses in 2007 (Excel file)

Advisory Committee Meetings

• November 6, 2007 Agenda (pdf)
  • Meeting notes (pdf)
  • Vibrio data presentation (pdf)
  • FDA trip report (pdf)

• November 19, 2007 Agenda (pdf)
  • Meeting notes (pdf)

• November 28, 2007 Hood Canal Subcommittee Meeting Notes (pdf)

• December 5, 2007 Agenda (pdf)
  • Meeting notes (pdf)

• December 19, 2007 Agenda (pdf)
  • Meeting notes (pdf)

Advisory Committee Members

The Vibrio Advisory Committee consists of the following industry volunteers, Tribal representatives, DOH staff, and FDA staff.  DOH and FDA staff roles were consultative only.

Industry members and Tribal representatives: 

Bishop, Brett - Little Skookum Shellfish Growers
Bloomfield, Steve - South Sound Aquaculture
Dewey, Bill - Taylor Shellfish Company
Docter, Austin - Taylor Shellfish Company
Downey, Robin - PCSGA, Discovery Bay Shellfish
Fyfe, David - Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
Hatch, Randy - Point No Point Treaty Council
James, Adam - Hama Hama Company
Phelps, Kris - Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
Rasmuson, Leif - Skokomish Tribe
Sheldon, Brian - Northern Oyster Company
Steele, Dave - Rock Point Oyster Company
Wiegardt, Ken - Wiegardt & Sons, dba Sandpoint Clam
Wolf, Jon - Skokomish Tribe

FDA staff participants:

Sample, Tim / Antee, Michael - Regional Shellfish Specialists

Bouvier, Vicki - Division Rule Coordinator
Deloach, Jessie - Manager, Licensing and Certification
Guichard, Maryanne - Office Director
Jacobs, Jan - Office Rule Coordinator, Office Web Coordinator
Lillie, Richard - Vibrio Program Leadd
Lumper, Randy - Intern
Mazzone, Scott - Intern

Proposed Rule

The draft language for Chapter 246-282-006 WAC, Washington State Vibrio parahaemolyticus control plan will be presented at the industry workshops.  Comments and suggestions on changes to the draft rule will be gathered for possible inclusion, if appropriate and with consensus of the advisory committee, into the final rule.

• Draft:  Chapter 246-282-006 WAC (pdf)

Industry Workshops

Industry workshops are being held early in 2008 at four different geographic locations to present the draft rule to all interested parties.  The workshops will provide an informal means for industry members to provide feedback, concerns, and suggested changes to the draft rule.
All workshops allow for a 45-minute lunch break.  Availability of nearby eating facilities may be limited in some locations.
The agendas listed below are in Word format.

• January 22, 2008, Brinnon, 11am - 3pm
• January 24, 2008, South Bend, 10am - 2pm
• January 31, 2008, Shelton, 10am - 2pm
• February 5, 2008, Bellingham, 11am - 3pm (this meeting was rescheduled from January 29 due to inclement weather)

Comments / Suggestions / Concerns

To submit comments, please visit the Department of Health Public Rules Comment Web Site.

Questions about the rule process:  Email Jessie DeLoach (360-236-3302) or Richard Lillie (360-236-3313)

 Suggestions for Web site improvements / posting requests:  Contact Jan Jacobs (360-236-3316)

DOH Home | Access Washington | Privacy Notice | Disclaimer/Copyright Information Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement by the Washington State Department of Health. Shellfish Program Office of Shellfish and Water Protection Division of Environmental Health Washington State Department of Health Mailing address:  PO Box 47824                           Olympia, WA  98504-7824 Physical address:  111 E. Israel Road SE                            Tumwater, WA Phone:  360-236-3330 Fax:     360-236-2257 Send inquiries about DOH and its programs to the Health Consumer Assistance Office. For comments or questions regarding this Web site, please send email to OSWP Web Coordinator.

            Last Update : 04/11/2008 02:50 PM