Norovirus in Five States Linked to Frozen Oysters

ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 13 -- Frozen oysters on the half shell, imported from South Korea and distributed to five states, have been linked by the FDA and CDC to a small outbreak of norovirus in Oregon.

The FDA said eight persons developed norovirus after consuming raw oysters at a private event in Woodburn, Ore. On Dec. 8, the FDA confirmed norovirus in oysters tested from the same lot as those served at the Woodburn party.

Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping as well as low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Symptoms usually develop within 48 hours of exposure to the virus, and resolve within two days.

The FDA and CDC, working with health departments in California, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, and Oregon, traced the virus to oysters from lot No. 6098 of Central Fisheries Company in South Korea, imported by Fortuna Sea Products of California.

On Nov. 27, Fortuna initiated a recall of 1,100 cases of oysters from that lot.

The FDA warned consumers who have recently purchased frozen oysters on the half shell to check with retailers to determine whether the oysters are from the affected lot.