Step-wise risk assessment of vibrio vulnificus infection associated with the consumption of cockles

Abstract

In this study, a simple point estimate approach was used to evaluate the risk of Vibro vulnificus infection from the consumption of contaminated cockles. Comparisons between ethnic groups, gender and susceptible populations in Malaysia scenario were carried out utilizing data from the previous prevalence study and related sources to make an attempt to evaluate the health risk. The results obtained showed that the estimated annual number of septicaemia cases associated with cockle consumption was 8.028 cases per 100,000 Malaysian population. Malays were found exposed to the greater risk due to the higher frequency of cockle consumption, in comparison to Chinese (Malay, 5.965 cases; Chinese, 0.733 cases). Among susceptible populations, the elderly population was found exposed to the greatest risk followed by diabetes, alcoholism and AIDS populations (elderly, 0.395; diabetes, 0.347 cases; alcoholism, 0.207 cases; AIDS, 0.019 cases). Likewise, the male population was found exposed to the greater risk of septicaemia infections, compared to the female population regardless of their binge drinking habit (male, 4.881 cases; female, 3.166; male binge drinker, 0.242 cases; female binge drinker, 0.040 cases).