FLORIDA — A multistate norovirus outbreak has been linked to raw oysters from Texas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Thursday.
What You Need To Know
- A multistate norovirus outbreak has been linked to raw oysters from Texas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced
- The CDC said as of Thursday, 211 illnesses have been reported across Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas
- Oysters sold at Publix are linked to the outbreak
The CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Texas Department of State Health Services and other public health partners are investigating the outbreak, the CDC stated
The CDC said as of Thursday, 211 illnesses have been reported across Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
The FDA confirmed that raw oysters harvested in area TX 1, Galveston Bay, Texas were potentially contaminated with norovirus and distributed to restaurants and retailers in the states above, the CDC said, with the possibility of additional states receiving these oysters through further distribution within the U.S.
The CDC says that restaurants and food retailers should not serve raw oysters from harvest area TX 1, Galveston Bay, Texas, harvested between Nov. 17 and Dec. 7, which will be printed on product tags.
On Dec. 9, Texas health officials ordered a recall of oysters harvested from a fishery in Galveston Bay after linking them to dozens of illnesses across the area, according to Publix, which were available at Publix and Publix GreenWise Market locations. The recall stated that public health officials had closed the TX 1 harvest area after reports that the oysters may have caused stomach issues.
Shell on Oysters sold at Publix affected by the recall:
Product description: Live shell on oysters in the fresh seafood display case
GTIN: 29697000000
Harvested: 11/17/2022-12/08/2022
Symptoms of norovirus include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. Symptoms typically develop 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to the virus, and most people get better within one to three days. The CDC says that with this illness, there is a risk of dehydration, so call a healthcare provider right away if young children, older people or anyone getting sick seems dehydrated.
To protect yourself and others from norovirus, the CDC says to cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating them (at least 145 degrees), wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water often, carefully wash fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating them and clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.
