Aw shucks! Should you skip the oysters amid B.C. illness outbreak?
Global News
The BC Centre for Disease Control posted a warning that between Nov. 1 and Dec. 18, 64 cases of a 'norovirus-like' gastrointestinal illnesses were reported in the province.
As the holiday season kicks into full swing, raw oysters are often a favourite on festive menus.
But after dozens of people in British Columbia recently fell ill after eating raw oysters, many may be wondering if they should skip the shellfish this year to keep safe.
The BC Centre for Disease Control on Thursday posted a warning that between Nov. 1 and Dec. 18, 64 cases of a “norovirus-like” gastrointestinal illnesses were reported in the province, after people ate raw oysters from restaurants and local retailers.
Some people went to emergency departments with symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach pain, but there have been no hospital admissions reported, health authorities said.
“We are reminding everyone about the risks of consuming raw or undercooked oysters. Cooking destroys viruses and bacteria and decreases the risk of illness,” the BC Centers for Disease Control said in a social media post.
Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause stomach issues like diarrhea and vomiting. They spread easily through contact with infected people’s stool or vomit.
Some foods can also get contaminated right from the start — like oysters, which can pick up the virus from sewage in the water before they’re harvested, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
Sylvain Charlebois, director of Dalhousie University’s Agrifood Analytics Lab, said because oysters may be a holiday tradition for some, it’s important to stay vigilant when consuming them.
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