Introduction
If you’re a seafood lover, you may want to think twice before indulging in your favorite dish. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a certain type of seafood has been linked to more than 100 cases of norovirus illnesses. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting and diarrhea. In this article, we’ll discuss which seafood has been linked to the illnesses and provide some tips on what to eat instead.
This Seafood Has Caused More Than 100 Norovirus Illnesses, CDC Says — Eat This Not That
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning consumers to avoid eating raw oysters, as they have been linked to more than 100 cases of norovirus illnesses in the United States. The CDC is urging people to cook oysters thoroughly before eating them to reduce the risk of illness.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. It is spread through contaminated food and water, and can also be spread through contact with an infected person. Symptoms usually last for one to three days.
The CDC has identified raw oysters as the source of the outbreak, which has affected people in 11 states. The agency is advising people to avoid eating raw oysters, and to cook them thoroughly before eating them. The CDC also recommends that people wash their hands thoroughly after handling raw oysters.
The CDC is also advising restaurants and other food establishments to take extra precautions when handling and serving raw oysters. This includes making sure that oysters are stored at the proper temperature, and that they are cooked thoroughly before being served.
If you have eaten raw oysters and experience any of the symptoms of norovirus, the CDC recommends that you seek medical attention. It is important to note that norovirus can be serious, and can even be fatal in some cases.
If you are looking for a seafood option that is safe to eat, the CDC recommends that you opt for cooked seafood instead. This includes shrimp, crab, and lobster, which are all safe to eat when cooked properly.
Public health officials are warning consumers, restaurants, and retailers not to eat or sell raw oysters that have been connected to a norovirus outbreak that has sickened 100+ people in both the U.S. and Canada.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of April 6, there have been 103 reported illnesses in the U.S. across 13 states, including California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. In another advisory notice, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it is possible that the potentially contaminated oysters were distributed to additional states, as well.
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The oysters, which have also been linked to at least 279 norovirus cases in Canada, were harvested in the south and central parts of Baynes Sound, British Columbia, Canada, as confirmed by the FDA.
“Retailers should not serve raw oysters harvested from the following harvest locations within British Columbia: BC 14-8 and BC 14-5, with harvest starting as early as January 31, 2022, which will be printed on product tags,” the FDA writes in its notice.
If you purchased oysters from any of the affected areas, the CDC advises you to throw them away and clean any utensils or surfaces that may have come into contact with the shellfish. It’s also important to note that food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell, and taste normal.
The norovirus—commonly referred to as the “stomach flu,” despite not being caused by the flu virus—is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S. Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. People typically experience these symptoms within 12 to 48 hours after exposure, and most recover within one to three days. However, young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems are more likely to have more severe reactions, according the CDC.
If you think you have become ill from eating potentially tainted raw oysters, contact your healthcare provider. And for more recall news, don’t forget to check out Walmart And Other Grocery Stores Are Pulling These Recalled Items From Shelves.
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