Health authorities are advising against the consumption of oysters and clams harvested in parts of Canada and Washington State due to potential contamination with norovirus.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the California Department of Public Health, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported that oysters and clams from British Columbia, Canada, and the Pickering Passage region in Washington State may be contaminated with norovirus.
These shellfish have reportedly been served in restaurants across California.
According to the FDA, the affected oysters were distributed under brands such as “Fanny Bay,” “Buckley Bay,” and “Royal Miyagi Oysters.” The oysters were harvested between December 1 and December 9 from areas labeled as BC 14-8 and BC 14-15, with numbers including LF #1413888, 1409240, 1402294, 1409454, 1402193, 1402293, and 1402060.
Packaging may be marked with labels like “Pacific Northwest Shellfish” or “Union Bay Seafood”, and certifications noted as BC 740 SP or BC 6001 SP.
The California Department of Public Health confirmed that as of December 12, there have been multiple cases of norovirus infections linked to the consumption of British Columbia oysters served in California restaurants. There are 57 suspected cases of infection, with symptoms appearing between December 1 and December 9.
Norovirus is highly contagious and causes symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, body aches, and abdominal pain.
Health authorities urge consumers to avoid eating raw oysters and clams from these regions and to seek medical attention if symptoms develop.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
