? ? ? ?HealthDay Reporter
April 5, 2022 TU, TUESDAY (HealthDay News) — The United States and Canada are investigating a multistate outbreak of oyster-related norovirus disease in Canada.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said restaurants and retailers should not offer or sell these potentially contaminated raw oysters, which are grown in southern and central Baines Bay, British Columbia, Canada.
? ? ? ? The FDA said the oysters were distributed in 13 states, but other states may have received them through further distribution within the United States.
States confirmed to have received contaminated oysters are California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Washington .
The FDA and states conduct so-called “retrospective investigations” to determine where raw oysters are distributed and remove them from the food supply.
Although norovirus looks, smells and tastes normal in contaminated food, it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, fever, headache and body aches within 12 to 48 hours of consumption.
Most people get better within one to three days. Children under the age of 5, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop serious infections.
These symptoms can lead to dehydration, especially in children, the elderly, and people with other medical conditions.
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The FDA says it’s important to call your healthcare provider if you or your child is dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration include decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness when standing. Children who are dehydrated may have few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or irritable.
Affected harvest sites in Baines Bay include #1407063, #1411206, #278737 and #1400036 BC 14-8 BC 14-15 BC. “BAINES SOUND” will appear on the product label as “14-8” and/or “DEEP BAY” or “14-15”.
The FDA says:
- Restaurants and retailers should throw away or return any products included in the recall to their distributors.
- Anyone processing and packaging any potentially contaminated product should be aware of cross-contamination of food processing equipment. Work surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and hands should be washed with lukewarm water.
- Retailers that sell bulk products should clean and sanitize the containers used to hold the products.
- Consumers should not eat oysters from any of the locations listed and discard any product they have. If they are sick, they should talk to their healthcare provider.
It is always important to wash hands, utensils and surfaces with hot soapy water. After handling the food, the FDA said. It is especially important now to wash any cutting utensils or food preparation surfaces that have come in contact with contaminated oysters.
Noroviruses are relatively heat-resistant and can survive temperatures as high as 145 degrees.
Other ways to avoid foodborne illness include not preparing food for others when you are sick; washing fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating; always cooking oysters and shellfish thoroughly; disinfecting contaminated surfaces; and wash contaminated clothing.
? ? ? ? More Information ? ? ?
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information about norovirus.
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Source: FDA, Press Release, April 4, 2022
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