British Columbia health officials say at least 64 people got sick after eating raw oysters restaurants and retail outlets.
A statement from the BC Center for Disease Control and the provincial government health Authorities say “norovirus-like” gastrointestinal illnesses have been reported since November 1 in the Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and Island Health regions.
Federal agencies have closed some areas of the province to commercial shellfish harvesting, including parts of Baynes Sound west of Denman Island, while the cases are investigated.
Officials say some people have gone to emergency rooms with symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting or stomach pain, but no hospitalizations have been reported.
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The release said norovirus is common during the winter months and can cause intense symptoms, including dehydration, which can be a serious problem for the elderly or the very young.
Norovirus spreads very easily from person to person, but can also be caused by eating contaminated food or water.
The release states that foods contaminated with norovirus may look, smell and taste normal, and to kill the virus, oysters can be cooked to an internal temperature of 90°C for 90 seconds before eating .
“Oysters may be contaminated with noroviruses which may be present in the marine environment where they are grown and harvested,” the statement said.
“The British Columbia Center for Disease Control and regional health authorities are reminding the public of the risks associated with eating raw or undercooked oysters, particularly those at higher risk of developing serious illness, such as children , the elderly or immunocompromised people.”
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