Urgent do not eat warning issued for oysters contaminated with diarrhea-causing super bug in multiple states
Health officials have recalled oysters shipped to seven states after 15 people fell ill with norovirus.
Oysters harvested southeastern Lousiana were recalled by this week after health officials found they were contaminated with norovirus, a highly contagious illness that causes severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.
The recall includes shucked, frozen, breaded, post-harvest processed and half-shell oysters harvested between January 10 and February 4 in Louisiana’s Area 3.
The Louisiana Department of Health describes this area as ‘east of Lake Borgne, north of Eloi Bay, and includes Chandeleur Islands and surrounding marshes.’
According to health officials, 15 people fell ill with ‘norovirus-like illness’ after eating affected oysters sold at several restaurants in new Orleans between January 15 and January 31.
Two patients were hospitalized, but no deaths were reported.
Affected oysters were shipped to retailers in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Texas, though officials warned they may have been distributed to other states as well.
The FDA advised restaurants and retailers to dispose of affected oysters and told consumers to avoid eating them.
Oysters harvested southeastern Lousiana were recalled by this week after health officials found they were contaminated with norovirus (stock image)
Health officials said all other oysters harvested in Louisiana outside of Area 3 are safe to eat.
Norovirus is one of the four illnesses surging in the US in what experts have dubbed a ‘quad-demic.’
The disease infects around 21 million Americans annually and sends around 2 million to their doctor’s offices or urgent care.
It causes severe diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to life-threatening dehydration.
It spreads through contact with germs from an infected person’s vomit or feces, contaminated food, shared utensils, or surfaces they’ve touched.
While most people recover within a few days, the virus kills around 900 people every year, mostly adults 65 and up.
Outbreaks are most common in the winter due to a jump in the number of people gathering in groups for holiday festivities, traveling, and staying warm indoors, where pathogens can spread easily.
Symptoms of norovirus – nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea – come on quickly, within 12 to 48 hours of exposure.
Doctors say the illness can be avoided by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, washing produce before eating it, sanitizing countertops, avoiding people who have been infected, and cooking seafood to at least 145 degrees.
Health officials said residents who think they have become ill from contaminated oysters should contact a local epidemiologist or file a report with the state health department.
