Man in Florida dies after eating 'one in a billion' oyster. Here's the reason and safety tips to follow

A man died after eating an oyster that is "one in a billion". The deceased man was dining at a restaurant named Rustic Inn Crabhouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the person fell ill with a bacterial infection that was caused by Vibrio.

Reportedly, Gary Oreal (who manages the Rustic Inn) said that it was the first time such a tragic incident has occurred at the restaurant to any guest. And that the person who died “had that one in a billion” oyster that was the terrible one. Oreal claimed, "the man who died had worked years ago at the restaurant famous for garlic crabs."

He related that the restaurant has served a ‘'couple billion oysters’' over the course of 60 years and no one ever got ill as the person did.


After the incident, the kitchen was inspected by the state Department of Health and it passed the scrutiny with flying colors, as said by Oreal. Though he warned people about consuming oysters, he said that it won’t prevent the consumption of oysters by shellfish fans.

It was found that the man who died worked at the restaurant many years ago.

Identified as Roger '‘Rocky'’ Pinckney he tested positive for cannabis, opiates, and oxycodone, according to the Broward County Medical Examiner. His blood also contained Vibrio, according to WTVJ.

Pinckney wasn't the first person to die from consuming a raw oyster this month in Florida. Before him, Rodney Jackson, the director of business engagement of The Studer Community Institute also got Vibrio. According to the Pensacola News Journal, he passed away on 9th August after eating oysters that he bought from Maria’s Fresh Seafood Market.

According to a New York Post report, both Pinckney and Jackson died by eating oyster that was sourced from Louisiana.
The website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention( CDC) states that infections from Vibriosis usually occur in hot weather. The infection doesn’t induce serious health issues but causes vomiting and diarrhea.

According to the CDC, Vibriosis can happen in any weather and the harmful bacteria containing oysters don’t ‘look, smell, or even taste different from other oysters.