WASHINGTON STATE -- State health officials are warning people not to eat any raw oysters especially now that we've entered the hot summer months.

Donn Moyer with the State Department of Health says raw oysters are a popular treat, but in the summer, all shellfish are more likely to be contaminated bacteria called vibrio, which can make you sick.



He says the bacteria is destroyed by cooking shellfish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees for at least 15 seconds.

Also, keep shellfish cold after harvesting, and don't rinse any cooked food with seawater.

You can call the state's shellfish biotoxin hotline at 1-800-562-5632.