Infectious dose/dose response: The infectious does of this organism is unknown. However, it is likely that illness can result from a low dose, as scuba divers who have ingested small amounts of water have become ill, and A. hydrophila has been isolated from their stools (FDA 2003).
Levels in seafood: Aeromonas spp. are ubiquitous throughout the environment (particularly fresh and marine waters) and have been isolated from a variety of foods (Birkenhauer & Oliver 2002).
Epidemiological data: Most cases of illness attributed to A. hydrophila have been sporadic, rather than associated with large outbreaks. To date, the number of reported food associated outbreaks attributed to Aeromonas species is small (Table 4.6).
