FDA: Norovirus Outbreak Linked to Oysters

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a statement advising consumers to avoid raw oysters harvested from San Antonio Bay.

The FDA is investigating an outbreak of norovirus-associated illness linked to eating raw oysters harvested from San Antonio Bay, Texas. The FDA advises consumers to avoid eating raw oysters harvested from this area after February 1, 2007, as a result of reports of illnesses in people who attended a Maryland event where these oysters were served.

Symptoms of illness associated with norovirus may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping. Affected individuals often experience low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a general sense of tiredness. Most people show symptoms within 48 hours of exposure to the virus. The illness typically lasts one to two days.

The FDA advises consumers who ate oyster products served in restaurants after February 1, 2007 and experienced symptoms of norovirus to contact their healthcare provider and local health department. Additionally, consumers concerned about oysters purchased during this period should contact their place of purchase to determine if the oysters are from the affected lot of oysters.

The FDA reports that as of March 2, 2007, illnesses were reported by 25 individuals who ate raw oysters over the weekend of February 9, 2007 - February 11, 2007 at a Bull & Oyster Event in Maryland. The Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene's test results from ill patients are positive for norovirus.

The implicated oyster beds in the San Antonio Bay were closed by the Texas Department of Health Services on February 24, 2007 and remain closed as of March 2, 2007. Bayview Seafood, a distributor in Seadrift, TX, issued a voluntary recall on February 26, 2007. Another distributor, Rose Bay Oyster Company of Swanquarter, NC, issued a voluntary recall on February 28, 2007. Oysters subject to the recall were mislabeled by the Rose Bay Oyster Company, indicating Galveston Bay as the harvest area; the implicated oysters were actually harvested from San Antonio Bay. Oysters with tags that read: "Gal 1, 2/2/07" are subject to the recall.

The FDA has said that it will continue working with health officials in Maryland to track any additional cases of norovirus illness.

The FDA warns that people with weakened immune systems, including those affected by AIDS, and people with chronic alcohol abuse, liver, stomach or blood disorders, cancer, diabetes or kidney disease should avoid raw oyster consumption altogether, regardless of where the oysters are harvested.

The FDA reports that cooking destroys the virus, eliminating the risk of illness for both healthy and immunocompromised individuals. The FDA suggests that it's always best to cook seafood thoroughly to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.

For more information on seafood safety, please visit www.fda.gov.

Comments

[Jamie Hegarty]

Personally, I don’t see how anyone in today’s world could eat anything raw unless it was organically grown in his or her own garden. The food industry uses a plethora of chemicals as food additives and preservatives. In addition, many food items, including fruits, vegetables and meat are genetically engineered.

There has been a large number of food recalls lately, including some unlikely sources for salmonella outbreaks, such as spinach, lettuce and peanut butter. I, by the way, was one of the unlucky ones who purchased the tainted peanut butter. While I hadn’t gotten sick from the peanut butter when I heard the news, I wasn’t willing to take the chance.

This norovirus oyster scare is just one more to add to the list. My advice to everyone on this matter is to avoid eating raw seafood, including sushi.

[J.Kathryn Bryan]

I’m glad to see that the FDA issued an advisory on a norovirus that causes gastroenteritis. In this bustling, fast-moving culture, it can difficult to find the time to slow down and visit the doctor when we feel sick. The FDA warning is a reminder that patients should go to the doctor when an annoying, but most likely non-lethal norovirus develops.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) fact sheet (www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus-factsheet.htm) states that the norovirus is highly contagious and may infect another person with as few as 10 viral particles. The same CDC fact sheet states that about 30% of people who become infected with the norovirus may experience no symptoms at all.

This news article states that immunocompromised individuals have an increased risk of developing the norovirus virus after exposure. It is well known in research and public health circles that many people may not be aware that they have the immune-related medical conditions, including the devastating HIV/AIDS virus. Patients who don’t visit the doctor risk exacerbating the norovirus illness, as well as a coexisting immune disorder. These patients also put the community at risk when they breathe, cough, or sneeze viral particles into the air, which could have devastating effects on another person after exposure. If the FDA issues a warning about food-borne illness, members of the affected population should take some well-deserved bed rest.

[Emily]

Although we are living in a cultural age where it is considered worldly and sophisticated to eat raw specialty foods, such as sushi and oysters, the prospect of consuming uncooked meats is getting scarier and scarier! There are so many possible contaminants, even in oysters obtained from respectable oyster distribution companies, and the threat to consumers – especially those who have compromised immune systems (which would seem to be quite a large population if it includes patients with diabetes and ESRD) is worrisome. How widely was this batch of oysters distributed, and has it been discovered how they were contaminated with the virus?

[Dexter Otis Grenne]

While eating raw fish and oysters can put one at risk for getting an illness, I don't think it should deter anyone from eating such foods. Trusted sushi chefs know what they're doing and know where their fish comes from. People should be wary, but all sorts of foods have their risks. What isn't smart is eating things that are inherently dangerous. Blowfish and rattlesnake come to mind. I've even heard of people eating (and brace yourself people, this is disturbing especially to arachnaphobics) tarantula. *shudder*

[Anonymous]

I generally eat sushi and have always been somewhat concerned about potential viruses that could be infested in them. With this recent event I will be more cautious when choosing a restaurant to eat. Although, I know it probably depends on the supplier, I would assume the more established places would generally use a more reputable source for their seafood products.

[Jen]

I recently took a parasitology class, and you wouldn't believe how many illnesses you can contract from eating raw food, including raw oysters. This newfound knowledge, however, hasn't deterred me from eating raw oysters or sushi. Although, I am particular about where I buy raw seafood. It's always a good idea to talk to the person behind the seafood counter at the grocery store, or to ask your waiter/waitress where the seafood is coming from.

[Dagan]

Although the amount of food recalls that have been occurring is quite scary, I just think that they are more publicized nowadays.The threat has always been there, but because we never heard about it (back when technology didn't reign over life), we didn't worry nearly as much.
I hear the warnings for different things, but in the end you only live once, and if you enjoy eating seafood, then so be it! Enjoy!

[W Thomas]

You don't need to eat raw oysters to become infected with this unpleasant illness. You can get it merely from touching surfaces that were touched by an infected individual. Trust me, I know. I got it this winter during a regional norovirus "breakout." I am not sure how I got it, but I had not eaten any raw food and had been cooking my meals at home, so it was highly unlikely that food was the source. I had been riding the T a lot at that time and doing volunteer work in nursing homes (without having much contact with residents, however). I assume I must have touched a surface that had been touched by someone who had the virus and somehow became infected (another downside of biting your nails, perhaps?). I have no clue how an infection this easily spread can be avoided, except to wash hands frequently, which I will do if I ever hear of a norovirus outbreak in the area again. What a miserable three days it was!

[Rachelle Provost]

My condolences to Thomas! Luckily, I am both a vegetarian and allergic to shellfish. But it's scary to learn that that doesn't protect me from the virus! And as Jamie mentioned, common products like spinach and peanut butter are the most recent sources of virus outbreaks. Those were followed by the contaminated pet food. I think that, as tempting as it may be, we really need to avoid using chemicals as much as possible because the "convenience" is costing us our health. My boyfriend thinks I'm silly to shop at Whole Foods, but at least I can feel confident that my food is fresh, preservative-free and made under ethical conditions!

[Emily P.]

Since sushi is my favorite food, it certainly is frightening to hear about all of the risks involved in consuming raw fish. It’s also worrisome to know that even if you avoid such foods, there is potential danger in your old-fashioned peanut butter sandwich! I’m also concerned over the Rose Bay Oyster Company’s misinformation over the source of their product. How can you rule out foods from contaminated areas if we aren’t provided with correct information? How often does this happen?

[MV]

People need to wary of eating raw foods. Similar to when we wash our fruits and vegetables as a precaution, you can’t always assume that since it’s being served to you at a restaurant it is OK. I think it is good that this statement was issued because I know others, including myself, would have brushed off feeling sick as an effect of eating seafood.

[Paul]

I'm becoming more and more convinced that the food industry overall just needs to clean up its act again. I think anyone who has read Fast Food Nation would agree. Anyway, considering the outbreaks in vegetables and other foods recently (as mentioned by others), it seems that it may just be unavoidable unless you cook everything. I do admit, I am comforted that the recall was made on a relatively few number of people getting sick. Food borne illnesses are being caught sooner and publicized everywhere to prevent a real public health disaster. Maybe I won't say that when I am one of the ill though. These bugs are pretty nasty things.