Recently, oysters may have been linked to Norovirus foodborne illness outbreaks. Two separate recalls of oysters harvested from Yaquina Bay in Oregon have been issued. OregonLive.com reported on February 26, 2010 that Oregon Oyster Farms, Inc. recalled oysters harvested in Yaquina Bay due to possible Norovirus food poisoning. On March 2, 2010, OregonLive.com also reported a second oyster recall due to the possibility of a Norovirus link. This time, the recall was for oysters harvested and marketed by OM Seafood, Co. of Portland, Oregon. Both articles by Lynne Terry with The Oregonian provide details of the food poisoning outbreaks.
The Oregon Department of Health Recall notice Posted March 2, 2010 states:
OM Seafood Company is issuing a product recall involving oyster meat and oysters in the shell harvested in Yaquina Bay, Newport, Oregon from February 1–24, 2010. Oyster meat includes all 1/2 pint containers, pint containers, half gallon containers, and 4 gallon buckets. Oysters in the shell include all large, medium, small, extra-small, and petite Pacific oysters, Kumamoto oysters, and Yaquina native oysters. All shucked product containers with sell or use by dates of February 15 through March 11, 2010 are included in this recall.
Om Seafood Co has distributed Yaquina Bay oysters in one Oregon county: Multnomah. Yaquina Bay oysters are distributed through the on-site retail store and one wholesale account in Oregon (OM Seafood Restaurant). Yaquina Bay oysters were also distributed to 14 individual restaurants and retail stores located in Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Utah, Arizona, Texas, Massachusetts, Kansas, and Colorado.
OM Seafood Company has stopped selling and distributing oyster products, effective immediately, since receipt of notice from the Oregon Oyster Farms, Inc. on February 25, 2010. This recall has been initiated due to potential norovirus contamination. Consumption of these products may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malaise, abdominal pain, headache and fever.
Consumers who have purchased Yaquina Bay oysters are encouraged to discard any remaining product. A recall sign has been posted at the company’s retail store and at the restaurant.
Shellfish can be a common Norovirus carrier. Norovirus symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Norovirus is very contagious. Recent foodborne illness outbreaks on cruise ships and in retirement communities have also been reported.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2010
