Topline
The Food and Drug Administration issued an oyster recall Thursday—its fourth in three weeks, after hundreds have been left sick—warning against the eating of certain oysters harvested in Washington that may be contaminated with the highly contagious norovirus.
The FDA has issued a dozen oyster advisories in the past year. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images … [+]
Getty Images for NYCWFFKey Facts
The advisory applies to oysters harvested by Ruco’s Shellfish from Dec. 2 to Dec. 17 from a part of Washington’s Hammersley Inlet growing area, located about 80 miles southwest of Seattle.
The oysters were distributed in Washington and Oregon, according to the FDA, and “may have been distributed to other states.”
The recall was issued over a national surge in norovirus cases, as the FDA noted oysters contaminated with the contagious virus can cause illness if eaten and potentially severe illness in those with compromised immune systems.
The FDA is advising restaurants and retailers with the potentially contaminated oysters to throw them away or return them to their distributor for destruction.
In December, at least 80 people fell sick with norovirus after eating oysters at a Los Angeles Times food event.
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What Is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a contagious virus most commonly characterized by projectile vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms can include fever, headache and body aches. Norovirus can be contracted by consuming contaminated food or drinks, interacting with contaminated surfaces or interacting with those who are infected. Foods commonly involved in norovirus outbreaks include leafy greens, fresh fruits and shellfish (like oysters), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people with Norovirus feel better after one to three days, though they can still transmit the illness a few days after, according to the CDC, though it has reported Norovirus causes an average of 900 deaths per year, mostly among people aged 65 and older.
Big Number
12. That is how many oyster recalls the FDA has issued in the past year, with the advisories spanning states from California to Maine.
Key Background
The FDA has issued four oyster recalls in the last 18 days as norovirus cases have surged. A whopping 495 norovirus outbreaks were reported by the 14 states participating in the CDC’s NoroSTAT surveillance network. The total number of outbreaks reported throughout the 2024-2025 season years is above the amount reported in the same period during the 2012–2020 and 2021-2024 seasonal years, according to CDC data. More than 2,500 norovirus outbreaks are reported in the U.S. each year, according to the CDC, which notes most outbreaks stem from healthcare facilities, restaurants, catered events, schools, childcare centers and cruise ships.
Further Reading
Norovirus, Covid And RSV Are Surging This Winter. Here’s What To Know. (Forbes)
Read the full article here
