Feds issue norovirus warning as 279 people fall ill after eating raw B.C. oysters
Global News
Several recalls have been issued and parts of B.C.'s coast have been closed to harvesting while health and food inspection officials investigate.
Federal health officials have provided an update on a norovirus outbreak linked to raw B.C. oysters, which they now believe has sickened 279 people.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said Thursday recalls of B.C. oysters have been issued on four dates since March 18, and that more could be issued.
Some oyster harvesting areas on the B.C. coast have also been closed as federal and provincial health and food inspection officials investigate.
The bulletin did not state which areas have been closed, but the recalls were related to harvest areas 14-15 and 14-8, located between Denman Island and Vancouver Island.
Most of the norovirus cases linked to the outbreak (262) were reported in B.C., however cases have also been documented in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. No deaths have been reported.
Earlier this month, Vancouver Coastal Health issued its own raw B.C. oyster warning, after linking 50 cases to the shellfish.
Norovirus can create severe gastrointestinal distress, with symptoms that include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramps. PHAC says symptoms usually develop within 24 to 48 hours of consuming the affected product. Symptoms pass for most people within a day or two and suffer no lasting health effects.
People who are pregnant or have compromised immune systems, along with young children and the elderly are at a higher risk.
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