Oysters Remembered for Norovirus Concerns
If you’ve been planning on going to an oyster bar tonight, you might want to put off this trip for a while, especially if you’re in the Pacific Northwest. Due to “reports of norovirus-like illness in humans, who report eating raw oysters from several areas of Washington and elsewhere,” Washington State posted a review of bivalve molluscs from several growing areas.
The review applies to several areas, the largest of which is a three-mile stretch of commercial beds:
Small fisheries have been ordered to close and recall over the past several weeks, the largest in Hammersley Bay in Mason County, where a recall has been issued for all shellfish caught there since 15 March. Smaller parts of the shellfish fishing area were closed and recalled on March 2, April 4 and April 5.
While three miles may not seem like a lot, it’s important to remember that these beds are harvested by 31 companies that, according to the recall, ship oysters “to many states and countries.” Norovirus associated with some rather unpleasant stomach problems , so be safe, and if you just have to swallow a few oysters, please check with your retailer or fish on the server, where they came from.
Norovirus Disease Cause Entrances Closed and Shellfish Recall | Washington State Department of Health via Food & Wine