FDA investigating norovirus outbreak linked to oysters         

Consumers advised to avoid raw oysters harvested from San Antonio Bay

[March 05, 2007]  ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating an outbreak of norovirus-associated illness linked to eating raw oysters harvested from San Antonio Bay, TX. 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 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.

Consumers who ate oyster products served in restaurants after February 1 and experienced symptoms of norovirus are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider and local health department. 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.

To date, illnesses have been 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. 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.

FDA will continue working with health officials in Maryland to track any additional cases of norovirus illness. FDA will continue to provide regular updates to the public as this investigation unfolds.

Persons with weakened immune systems, including those affected by AIDS, and persons 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.

Cooking destroys the virus, eliminating the risk of illness for both healthy and immunocompromised individuals. FDA advises that it's always best to cook seafood thoroughly to minimize the risk of foodborne illness. Consumers can continue to enjoy oysters in many cooked preparations by following this advice:

At Restaurants and other Foodservice Establishments:

• Order oysters fully cooked.

In the Shell:

• Purchase oysters with the shells closed. Throw away any oysters with shells already opened.

To prepare oysters for eating, choose one of the following methods:

• Boil oysters until the shells open. Once open, boil for an additional 3-5 minutes.

• Steamer - add oysters to water that is already steaming and cook live oysters until the shells open; once open, steam for another 4-9 minutes.

• Use smaller pots to boil or steam oysters. Using larger pots, or cooking too many oysters at one time, may cause uneven heat distribution, which may cause the oysters in the middle to not get fully cooked.

• Discard any oysters that do not open during cooking.

Shucked Oysters:

To prepare oysters for eating, choose one of the following methods:

• Boil or simmer shucked oysters for at least 3 minutes or until the edges curl.

• Fry at 375 degrees for at least 3 minutes.

• Broil 3 inches from heat for 3 minutes.

• Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes.

For further information contact:

FDA Food Safety Hotline: 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366)
FDA website: www.cfsan.fda.gov

[Text copied from U.S. Food and Drug Administration news release]