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Contagious Norovirus Linked to San Antonio Bay Oysters Again

By Paul Napoli

December 7, 2009

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning the public to avoid eating oysters harvested from the San Antonio Bay on the Gulf of Texas.

The FDA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas are investigating about a dozen reports of consumers in North Carolina and South Carolina with norovirus related illnesses linked to consumption of oysters harvested from San Antonio Bay. The Texas Department of Health Services closed the implicated oyster beds on Nov. 26, 2009 and the agencies continue to investigate where the affected oysters were distributed.

Consumers who purchased oysters on or after Nov. 16, which bear a label showing they came from San Antonio Bay, are advised to dispose of the oysters and not eat them. Consumers should ask the origin of oysters before ordering them off the menu at restaurants.
Restaurant operators and retailers should not serve or offer for sale oysters harvested from the San Antonio Bay on or after Nov. 16 and should consult suppliers to determine the source of oysters if origin is unknown.

In 2007, 25 people in Maryland contracted the norovirus from eating oysters at a restaurant that were harvested from San Antonio Bay, prompting an FDA advisory and the closure of the implicated oyster beds.

Noroviruses are members of a group of viruses called caliciviruses also known previously as 'Norwalk-like viruses.' The symptoms of norovirus infection are nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea accompanied by abdominal cramps. Some people also complain of headache, fever or chills and muscle aches.

People may contract the norovirus by consuming contaminated food or liquid, touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then touching the mouth or by direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms. Symptoms usually begin 24 to 48 hours after ingestion of the virus, but can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure and last for 1 or 2 days. However, during that brief period, people can feel very ill and vomit, often violently and without warning, many times a day.

While healthy people may also be at risk, persons with weakened immune systems, including those affected by AIDS, and persons with chronic alcohol abuse, liver, stomach or blood disorders, cancer, diabetes or kidney disease should avoid raw oyster consumption altogether, regardless of where the oysters are harvested.

If you have suffered an illness or a loved became sick or died from ingesting a contaminated product or became sick after eating at a restaurant, Call Napoli Bern Ripka LLP today at 888-529-4669 to discuss your case and determine if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries or a loved one's death.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Full post as published by New York City Personal Injury Lawyer on December 08, 2009 (boomark / email).