What is the most immediate danger associated with eating raw oysters due to waterborne bacteria?
Answer
Contracting illnesses from *Vibrio* species.
The most immediate and significant danger linked to consuming raw oysters stems from potential bacterial contamination. Oysters are filter feeders, and if harvested from contaminated waters, they can harbor bacteria like *Vibrio* species. Ingestion of these bacteria can lead to severe gastrointestinal distress. In rare but serious instances, this can progress to a systemic infection, which poses a particular and elevated danger to individuals who already have compromised immune systems or existing liver conditions.
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