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In October 2024, Public Health Seattle King County (PHSKC) officials investigated an outbreak of norovirus associated with McDonald’s Restaurant located at 8515 124th Ave NE in Kirkland, WA. Three people who did not know each other reported illness after eating at the restaurant between October 23 and October 26, 2024. No one was hospitalized and no one died. Two of the three people who became sick underwent testing. Both people tested positive for norovirus.

PHSKC visited the restaurant on October 29, 2024 and confirmed that no restaurant workers reported being sick in the past two weeks. Investigators did not find any unsafe food practices related to the spread of PHSKC revisited the restaurant on November 1, 2024, and asked them to follow their norovirus cleaning protocols and complete a deep cleaning of the restaurant.

The Pierce County Department of Health announced that it was working with Harvest Buffet, 3121 S. 38th St., Tacoma, following a suspected norovirus outbreak. We closed the restaurant around 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, and will reopen it after at least 24 hours. Staff will clean and sanitize the restaurant and take all steps necessary to ensure the public is no longer at risk.

Multiple people in the same group but from different households reported norovirus-like symptoms on Wednesday after they ate at the restaurant Sunday, Oct. 6. The meal was their only common source of food.

If you ate at Harvest Buffet recently and became ill, contact us at food@tpchd.org, report online, or (253) 649-1696. 

Norovirus is highly contagious. It can cause diarrhea and vomiting, often at the same time. Symptoms typically last a day or two. It is the same virus often related to cruise ship outbreaks.

In addition to cleaning and sanitizing the restaurant, staff will throw out all ready-to-eat foods like vegetables, bread, and cheese.

Cleaning for norovirus

Clean vomit or diarrhea accidents immediately.

Step 1. Remove vomit or poop.

  • Pick up the chunks with paper towels or other disposable material. Wear disposable gloves if available. 
  • Soak up liquids with absorbent materials. Use kitty litter or dry oatmeal for carpeted areas.
  • Double bag and discard.
  • Do not use a vacuum cleaner.

Step 2. Sanitize areas where vomit or poop was present, as well as bathroom surfaces and other things you frequently touch. 

  • Disinfect hard surfaces using 1 2/3 cups of household bleach per gallon of water. Allow for 1 minute of contact time.
  • Sanitize all handles and knobs in your house with the bleach solution.
  • Linens (including clothing, towels, napkins): Wash separately in hot water and dry on high.
  • Steam clean carpets using the highest setting for heat.
  • Avoid cross-contamination (use separate sanitation cloths for bathroom and other surfaces).
  • Clean and disinfect all containers used (e.g., buckets).

Handwashing

Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Especially after cleaning, restroom use, and before eating.

If you ate at Harvest Buffet and became ill, contact the Health Department at food@tpchd.org, report online, or call (253) 649-1696.

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The DLNR Division of State Parks (DSP), in consultation with the Hawai‘i Dept. of Health (DOH), has elected to close the entire Kalalau Trail section, from Kē‘ē to Honopu in the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park. DLNR and DOH are closely coordinating the situation in Kalalau and taking appropriate action to ensure public health and safety.

The highly contagious norovirus has been identified as the cause of illness to dozens of backpackers along the trail. This viral illness typically causes copious vomiting, often accompanied by fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.

The closure is effective immediately and DOH is recommending closure at least until Sept. 19. All comfort stations along the trail are being cleaned and disinfected. Ha‘ena State Park and Kē‘ē Beach will remain open with enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the comfort station there.

Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) will travel to Kalalau, Hanakoa, and Hanakāpīʻai this weekend to direct any remaining permitted and unpermitted hikers and campers to leave the area. The Kalalau Trailhead at Kē‘ē will be manned by law enforcement 24/7 to prevent entrance onto the trail.

DOH has received reports of illness from at least 37 people who were hiking the Kalalau Trail and camping at a state campsite at Kalalau beach, though the actual number of affected people is estimated to be higher. A DOH team is at Kalalau today collecting  water, soil, and environmental swabs to assess ongoing risk of transmission from contaminated surfaces or water.

Norovirus was detected in multiple samples from people who didn’t directly interact with each other.

Beginning with the initial closure Wednesday morning and again yesterday, DOCARE officers flew into Kalalau to tell campers they needed to leave. Officer Christian “Kana‘i” Gayagas said he and a fellow officer approached about 40 campers at Kalalau. They cited two, who did not have the required permit to hike beyond Hanakāpīʻai.

Forrest Liss of Kaua‘i backpacked  to Kalalau on Tuesday, prior to the park closure. He said he’d heard about some sort of illness on social media and spoke while cleaning camp, preparing to hike out. He said by the time he and his party reached camp most everyone who was sick had already left. He added, “We figure camping, people get sick. Maybe they drank the water. People get sick but when they start going through the protocols of shutting down the park, actually this is something a little more serious.”

Norovirus has impacted at least three other popular trails in the U.S. in recent years.

The National Park Service Office of Public Health has received increasing reports of gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses among hikers and other individuals along the Appalachian Trail in areas of Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. Norovirus is suspected as the cause of illness and has been confirmed diagnostically in at least some of the cases. The impact of norovirus in other areas and states along the Appalachian Trail is possible due to virus transmissibility and challenges to hand hygiene and sanitation along the trail.

According to media reports, dozens of people visiting Havasu Falls in Arizona got ill and were flown out for medical treatment in June. Norovirus was confirmed as the cause of sickness in some cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2022, the largest outbreak of acute gastroenteritis documented in the Grand Canyon National Park backcountry occurred. At least 222 rafters and backpackers became infected, probably with norovirus. Also, in 2022 and again this past April, hikers on the Pacific Coast Trail also reported getting sick.

Coincidentally, Thursday had been scheduled as a regular DSP maintenance day at Kalalau. In addition to the DOCARE officers, three state parks workers collected and bagged rubbish to be helicoptered out of the valley. They did two “sling loads,” which is dramatically different from a decade ago when it was common for helicopters to lift dozens of 600-pound sling loads of trash out of Kalalau.

In addition to that work and replacing missing signs, they employed DOH recommendations when cleaning the camp’s comfort station. Derrick Louis of DSP said, “We swept the floor and bleached the whole bathroom, floors, railings, toilets, everything. Waited at least 7 to10 minutes, cleaned everything and did it again and then we wiped everything down with a disinfectant.”

Despite the current closure, Kalalau Valley has a long history of harboring squatters who are often hidden in the thick forest of the valley making them undetectable.

Commercial and recreational boaters should not drop people off to swim, paddle, or kayak to Kalalau beach. It is imperative to keep humans out based on the DOH protocols. People can be cited or arrested during the closure, and once Kalalau reopens if they are present without a required state permit.

San Diego County health officials have linked 11 confirmed and probable cases of norovirus illness to frozen oysters imported from South Korea. 

Customers who ate the oysters at 100s Seafood Grill Buffet in Mission Valley between March 31 and April 1 became sick, one person went to the emergency department.  

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is now linking the San Diego illnesses to quick-frozen oysters.  

The FDA is cautioning all restaurants and stores that sell frozen, raw half-shell oysters to check their freezers and verify the origin of their oysters.  To identify their origin, look for shellfish tag or label information. Oysters processed by JBR (KR 15 SP) in Tongyeongsi, Republic of Korea on 11/27/2023, 1/4/2024 and 2/15/2024 with lot numbers B231126, B240103 and B240214 should not be consumed. The County of San Diego is working with the California Department of Public Health to identify other potential retailers in our region. 

These items may be labeled “Amazing Sea Brand.” 

If you have consumed these oysters and feel ill, it is important to see your doctor for evaluation,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer. “If you or someone you live with is sick with norovirus, it is important to wash your hands often and clean common areas to prevent spreading the infection.” 

This comes four months after County of San Diego health officials linked 41 confirmed and probable cases of norovirus to raw oysters imported from a specific harvest location in Northwest Mexico. 

People infected with norovirus generally develop nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever and body aches approximately 12 to 48 hours after consuming contaminated foods. The illness typically lasts for one to three days. The vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration requiring medical attention, especially in young children, older adults and people with other illnesses.   

The County’s Epidemiology Program and Department of Environmental Health and Quality are working closely with California Department of Public Health, including the Shellfish Program, to continue investigating illnesses associated with oysters.   

To report illness to the County after dining out or purchasing from wholesale food locations call (858) 505-6814, or email fhdepi@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Audience

Restaurants and food retailers in Connecticut (CT), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Minnesota (MN), New Jersey (NJ), Ohio (OH), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC) and Texas (TX) that have recently purchased oysters from Norm Bloom and Son (CT-069-SS, AQ), harvested from Westport, CT, lot 207, with the harvest date 2/20/2024.

Consumers in CT, FL, GA, MA, MD, ME, MN, NJ, OH, RI, SC, and TX who have recently purchased oysters from Norm Bloom and Son (CT-069-SS, AQ), harvested from Westport, CT, lot 207, with the harvest date 2/20/2024.

Product

Recalled oysters are from Norm Bloom and Son (CT-069-SS, AQ), harvested from Westport, CT, lot 207, with the harvest date 2/20/2024. The oysters were distributed to restaurants and retailers in CT, FL, GA, MA, MD, ME, MN, NJ, OH, RI, SC, and TX, and may have been distributed to other states as well.

Purpose

The FDA is notifying restaurants, food retailers, and consumers that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Aquaculture is conducting a recall of oysters harvested by Norm Bloom and Son (CT-069-SS, AQ) from Westport, CT, lot 207, with the harvest date 2/20/2024, because they are associated with a norovirus outbreak in Minnesota and may be contaminated with norovirus. The FDA is advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell and consumers not to eat the recalled oysters.

Shellfish contaminated with norovirus can cause illness if eaten, and potentially severe illness in people with compromised immune systems. Food containing norovirus may look, smell, and taste normal. Consumers of these products who are experiencing symptoms of illness should contact their healthcare provider and report their symptoms to their local Health Department. Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever may be associated with gastroenteritis infections caused by this organism.

Symptoms of Norovirus

People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus. The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Other symptoms include fever, headache, and body ache.

A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days.

If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill, and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. Symptoms of dehydration include decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up. Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.

If you think you or someone you are caring for is severely dehydrated, call your healthcare provider

Summary of Problem and Scope

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Aquaculture is conducting a recall of oysters from Norm Bloom and Son (CT-069-SS, AQ), harvested from Westport, CT, lot 207, with the harvest date 2/20/2024, because they are associated with a norovirus outbreak in Minnesota and may be contaminated with norovirus. The oysters were distributed to restaurants and retailers in CT, FL, GA, MA, MD, ME, MN, NJ, OH, RI, SC, and TX, and may have been distributed to other states as well. The FDA is advising consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell, and to dispose of these oysters.

Contaminated oysters can cause illness if eaten raw, particularly in people with compromised immune systems. Food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell, and taste normal. Consumers of these products who are experiencing symptoms of norovirus illness should contact their healthcare provider, who should report their symptoms to their local Health Department.

FDA Actions

The FDA is sharing the notice of the CT oyster recallExternal Link Disclaimer and advising consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell, oysters from Norm Bloom and Son (CT-069-SS, AQ), harvested from Westport, CT, lot 207, with the harvest date 2/20/2024, and distributed to restaurants and retailers in  CT, FL, GA, MA, MD, ME, MN, NJ, OH, RI, SC, and TX. The FDA is awaiting information on further interstate distribution of the oysters and will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed.

Recommendations for Restaurants and Retailers

Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell the potentially contaminated oysters. Restaurants and retailers should dispose of any products by throwing them in the garbage or returning them to their distributor for destruction.

Restaurants and retailers should also be aware that shellfish may be a source of pathogens and should control the potential for cross-contamination of food processing equipment and the food processing environment. They should follow the steps below:

  • Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
  • Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators who have processed and packaged any potentially contaminated products need to be concerned about cross-contamination of cutting surfaces and utensils through contact with the potentially contaminated products.
  • Retailers that have sold bulk product should clean and sanitize the containers used to hold the product.
  • Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.
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Oyster associated norovirus cases are also being reported in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties. Both the California Department of Public Health and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are now actively engaged in the investigation.  

The investigation of oyster-linked illnesses by County of San Diego health officials has expanded to include additional oyster harvest locations in Mexico. Health officials are recommending consumers and restaurants throw away any oysters imported from locations in Mexico until further notice. 

The local norovirus outbreak now includes 69 confirmed and probable cases. The severity of the infections in San Diego County has remained mild, with no hospitalizations reported to date. The initial investigations identified 41 probable and confirmed norovirus cases linked to oysters harvested in Sonora, Mexico. The sickened patrons dined at the Fish Shop chain and Carlsbad Aquafarm. Twenty-eight more cases have been added including 20 who ate oysters from other food venues.  

The FDA, which has jurisdiction over oysters imported into the country, issued an initial advisory on Jan. 11, based, at least in part, on the findings of the investigation conducted by County health officials.  

On Jan. 17th, the FDA issued a second advisory for Laguna De Guerrero Negro and Laguna Manuela, both on the Pacific Coast of Baja California, Mexico but locations geographically distant from Sonora. Today, FDA updated the initial advisory on Sonora oysters to include a second harvest location, Estero Morua. 

The new FDA recommendations advise restaurants and retailers to dispose of any oysters they still have or contact their distributor to coordinate return or destruction. People who have them in their homes should do the same. 

All of the implicated oysters were harvested in December 2023 and no oysters since then have been distributed to food venues in San Diego from those locations.  

Given the expanding number of harvest locations associated with illness and the potential of other sites to be involved, County Public Health is recommending against the use of all oysters imported from Mexico at this time. 

“The County recommends that people ask where oysters were harvested when eating out or getting food from wholesale locations to avoid consuming oysters imported from Mexico,” said Dr. Ankita Kadakia, Deputy County Public Health Officer. “Norovirus is typically a mild illness but can cause dehydration especially for the very young and very old. Given the increasing number of cases, the chance for others at greater risk for more severe illness in the same home is also increased. I want to remind people who become ill, and those that live with them, to wash their hands frequently to avoid contaminating surfaces and foods that could further spread the infection.”  

Eating raw oysters has been linked to outbreaks with other germs including Vibrio, Shigella, and E. coli, in addition to norovirus. If you eat raw or undercooked oysters, germs that might be in the oyster can make you sick.  

People who have or develop symptoms should reach out to their healthcare provider. To report illness to the County after dining out or purchasing from wholesale food locations call (858) 505-6814, or email fhdepi@sdcounty.ca.gov.  

More information on seafood and shellfish safety is available here, general information on norovirus is here, and prevention of norovirus spread in the home information is here. 

Wake County Public Health and Wake County Environmental Services are alerting the public of three confirmed cases of norovirus, all linked to a local Raleigh restaurant. Norovirus is a very contagious illness that can make people sick soon after coming in contact with an infected person, eating contaminated food, or touching contaminated surfaces. All individuals who became sick are recovering. Before they became ill, residents visited Sushi Nine, an Asian restaurant located at 3812 Western Blvd., Raleigh. 

The first person to report to Wake County about feeling ill after eating in the restaurant was Friday, Dec. 1. Staff immediately responded and initiated the investigation. Soon after more reports reached Wake County’s Public Health Communicable Disease team. In total 241 complaints were received, and all of those diners reported visiting the restaurant between Saturday, Nov. 28 and Tuesday, Dec. 5. Staff have been able to interview more than 170 of the complainants so far and all have been asked to give stool samples, the only way to lab test for norovirus. Only three people provided samples so far and all three samples came back positive for the norovirus. The County is continuing to investigate all complaints. 

The restaurant voluntarily closed for deep cleaning on Tuesday, Dec. 5. It has since reopened to the public. An environmental health consultant is conducting daily visits to the establishment. No new complaints have been reported since the restaurant reopened on Friday, Dec. 8.

Wake County is currently investigating all potential sources of exposure. And so far, the investigation is not pointing to a single type of food that might have been the source, as those who reported becoming sick ate a variety of menu items. It is common with norovirus investigations to not be able to narrow down to a specific source of contamination. 

A Denver elementary school is closed because of a norovirus outbreak. Teller Elementary, a Denver Public Schools campus in Congress Park, is closed on Friday, according to a letter sent to the school community.

“Over the last two days, we have seen a significant uptick in norovirus cases among our students and staff,” reads a letter sent Thursday and signed by the principal, assistant principal and dean.

The school will be closed “to allow our community to recover,” the administrators said, and to deep clean the campus. The school’s food pantry will be closed Friday and Saturday, as will after-school enrichments and Saturday school.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s alternately called the “stomach flu” or a “stomach bug,” although it’s not related to the influenza virus.

Norovirus can spread by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with it, by having direct contact with someone who has it or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and putting unwashed fingers in the mouth.

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Restaurants and food retailers that have received shipments of oysters harvested from NS 10, an oyster harvest area in Nova Scotia, Canada on June 9, 2023, and were distributed by Bill and Stanley Oyster Co. of Nova Scotia, Canada through U.S. distributors to 17 states and the District of Columbia: CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, MA, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, and WI. The FDA is working to obtain additional information on distribution of the oysters and will continue to monitor the investigation, provide assistance to state authorities, and update our communications to the public as needed.

Consumers, especially those who are or could become pregnant, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems, who have recently consumed raw oysters and suspect they have food poisoning should seek medical care immediately.

• Fortune brand oysters harvested from harvest location NS 10 in Nova Scotia, Canada on June 9, 2023 that were distributed to 17 states and the District of Columbia: CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, MA, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, and WI.
• Oyster containers include the harvest area information and original shipper certification number NS 6024 SS WS on the attached product tag.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell, and to dispose of raw oysters that were harvested from harvest location NS 10 in Nova Scotia, Canada on June 9, 2023 and were distributed to 17 states and the District of Columbia: CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, MA, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, and WI. Consumers who purchased oysters after June 9, 2023 should check the packaging to see if they were harvested from location NS 10 on June 9, 2023. Contaminated shellfish can cause illness if eaten raw, particularly in people with compromised immune systems. Food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell, and taste normal. Consumers of these products who are experiencing symptoms of norovirus illness should contact their healthcare provider, who should report their symptoms to their local Health Department.

On June 30, 2023, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported to CDC an outbreak consisting of 9 cases of norovirus illness associated with the consumption of oysters from Nova Scotia. The oysters harvested from Nova Scotia were sold in both Canada and the U.S. FDA is working with federal, state, and local officials, and with Canadian public health authorities to investigate this outbreak, obtain additional information on distribution of the oysters, and determine if additional illnesses have occurred.

Retailers should not sell or serve raw oysters from harvest location NS 10 with a harvest date of June 9, 2023, which will be printed on product tags.

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Audience

  • Restaurants and food retailers that have received shipments of frozen raw oysters, in half shell, Individual Quick Freezing (IQF), and block form, harvested between 2/10/2022 and 2/24/2022 and on 4/13/2022 and 4/14/2022 from Designated Area No. II, and exported by Dai One Food Co., Ltd., Republic of Korea (ROK).
  • Consumers, especially those who are or could become pregnant, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems, who have recently consumed raw oysters in Hawaii, Georgia, or Minnesota and suspect they have food poisoning should seek medical care immediately.

Product

  • Frozen oysters harvested between 2/10/2022 and 2/24/2022 and on 4/13/2022 and 4/14/2022 from Designated Area No. II, Dai One Food Co., Ltd., ROK. The oysters were shipped from the ROK and distributed in Hawaii, Georgia, and Minnesota.
  • The Korean firm has voluntarily recalled frozen raw half shell oysters, frozen IQF oysters, and frozen oyster blocks harvested from Designated Area II harvest area between 2/10/2022 and 2/24/2022 and on 4/13/2022 and 4/14/2022 including lot numbers D021031, D021041, and D020481.

Purpose

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to eat, as well as restaurants along with food retailers not to sell, and to dispose of Dai One Food Co., Ltd., frozen raw half shell, IQF, and block form oysters with harvest dates between 2/10/2022 and 2/24/2022 and 4/13/2022 and 4/14/2022 from Designated Area No. II and sold in Hawaii, Georgia, and Minnesota.

Summary of Problem and Scope

The Hawaii Department of Health notified the FDA of five illnesses from individuals who consumed raw oyster shooters at a restaurant in Hawaii on 5/10/23. Traceback information revealed the source for the implicated raw oysters was from a shipment by Dai One Food Co., Ltd., ROK, harvested on 4/13/2022 and 4/14/2022 from Designated Area No. II. Samples collected from the 04/14/2022 harvest date were tested for the presence of norovirus. Norovirus GII was detected in one of the two samples collected. Further traceback information identified shipments from Dai One Food Co., Ltd., ROK of oysters harvested on 4/13 2022 and 4/14/2022 from Designated Area No. II were also distributed to Georgia.

In addition, the Minnesota Department of Health notified the FDA of five norovirus illnesses from individuals who consumed raw oysters at a restaurant in Minnesota on 6/3/2023 and 6/4/2023. Traceback information revealed the source for the implicated raw oysters was from a shipment by Dai One Food Co., Ltd., ROK, harvested between 2/10/2022 and 2/24/2022 in Designated Area No. II. These oysters were exported to a distributor in New York.

FDA Actions

The FDA is issuing this alert advising consumers not to eat and restaurants and food retailers not to sell oysters harvested between 2/10/2022 and 2/24/2022 and on 4/13/2022 and 4/14/2022 from Designated Area No. II from Dai One Food Co., Ltd., in ROK, due to possible norovirus GII contamination. The FDA notified State Shellfish Authorities and the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) of the import and harvest details.

As the FDA continues to monitor the investigation, we will provide additional information on further interstate distribution and provide assistance to states as needed. If contaminated oysters are found to have been distributed to additional states, we will update this public health alert. Please check back for more information.

Symptoms of Norovirus

Norovirus can cause a sporadic gastroenteritis, in populations ranging from children to the elderly. The infections are more frequent in children under age 5 than in adults. The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Other symptoms include fever, headache, and body ache.

Most people infected with norovirus begin to develop symptoms 12 to 48 hours after infection. Symptoms usually last one to four days.

What Do Restaurants and Retailers Need to Do?

Restaurants and retailers should not sell the potentially affected raw oysters. Restaurants and retailers should dispose of any products by throwing them in the garbage or returning to their distributor for destruction.

Restaurants and retailers should also be aware that the oysters may be a source of pathogens and should control the potential for cross–contamination of food processing equipment and the food processing environment. They should follow the steps below:

  • Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
  • Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators who have processed and packaged any potentially contaminated products need to be concerned about cross contamination of cutting surfaces and utensils through contact with the potentially contaminated products.
  • Retailers that have sold bulk product should clean and sanitize the containers used to hold the product.
  • Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross–contamination.