A large oyster norovirus outbreak has sickened at least 328 people in Canada as of April 8, 2022 (and at least 103 in the United States). Raw and undercooked oysters can contain pathogens such as norovirus that can make you sick. The patient case count by province is: British Columbia (293), Alberta (3), Saskatchewan (1), Manitoba (15), and Ontario (16). Illness onset dates range fro mid-January and early April 2022. Not all cases hav been tested, but the presence of norovirus has been confirmed based on the tests of several patients. The outbreak is linked to consumption of raw oysters from British Columbia. Some oyster harvest areas in British Columbia associated with this outbreak have been closed as a part of this investigation. Several food recalls have been issued in … [Read more...]
FDA: Do Not Sell or Serve Norovirus Raw Oysters From Canada
The FDA is advising retailers and restaurants not to serve or sell norovirus raw oysters imported from Canada. There is a large norovirus outback in Canada associated with those oysters, and there are also norovirus outbreaks in Minnesota, California, and Washington state. The FDA, CDC, and the Public Health Agency of Canada are investigating a multi-state outbreak of norovirus linked to raw oysters. The potentially contaminated raw oysters that were harvested in the south and central parts of Baynes Sound in British Columbia were distributed to restaurants and retailers in California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. More states may have received these oysters. A trace forward … [Read more...]
Some Raw BC Oysters Recalled in Canada For Norovirus
Some raw BC oysters are being recalled in Canada for possible norovirus contamination. No illnesses have been reported to the company or the government to date in connection with the consumption of this product. The recalling firm is Pacific Rim Shellfish (2003) Corp. The oysters were sold to hotels, restaurants, and institutions. The recalled product is raw BC oysters that were sold by the dozen. The size of the oysters is variable. There is no UPC number on this product. The codes on the product are: LF 1402294 Subarea 14-8 Harvested January 31, 2022 Lot# 22020135. If you ate these oysters and have been ill with the symptoms of norovirus, see your doctor. If you have any of these oysters in your refrigerator at home, do not eat them. You can throw them away in a sealed or … [Read more...]
E. coli Illnesses Are Increasing in Wyoming, According to Health Department
E. coli illnesses are increasing in Wyoming, according to that state's health department, along with cases of norovirus. This information, in a press release from the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH), offered no specifics as to patient ages, hospitalizations, or any hints about possible sources. Norovirus is likely among the increase in gastrointestinal illnesses, but Matt Peterson, WDH surveillance epidemiologist, said in a statement, "We are specifically seeing increased reports of E. coli across the state recently compared to previous years, which can be particularly concerning in children under 5." The symptoms of norovirus and E. coli are similar up to a point, but norovirus is usually a self-limiting illness, and people who contract this infection usually do not seek … [Read more...]
Foodborne Illness Outbreak at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska
A foodborne illness outbreak at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska has sickened almost 80 people, according to the Anchorage Daily News. State epidemiologists are investigating the outbreak that has sickened hospital employees. All patients developed symptoms on or around on the morning of August 7, 2021. Everyone who got sick ate food brought in as employee meals from a variety of local restaurants. Those restaurants have not yet been named. A post on the Alaska Health and Social Services Facebook page has a survey that anyone who lives in the Homer area can take to help officials solve this outbreak. No patients or hospital residents ate the food. The source of the outbreak is not known at the time. The agencies investigating the outbreak are the Alaska Department of … [Read more...]
Norovirus Vaccine May Be Possible Using Newly Discovered Antibodies
A norovirus vaccine may be possible in the future using newly discovered antibodies, according to research from a collaboration between the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Baylor College of Medicine. Norovirus is the number one cause of food poisoning in the United States, sickening about 20 million Americans every year, and causes 1.8 billion cases of illness worldwide. The virus is very contagious and is constantly mutating. The research is published in Nature Communications. The scientists found antibodies that actually recognize different noroviruses. Since norovirus won't grow in a lab so scientists can test vaccines, the researchers took white blood cells from people who recently had norovirus infections. A panel of human monoclonal antibodies were isolated. And … [Read more...]
Milwaukee Police Food Poisoning Outbreak Sickens Eleven
A Milwaukee police food poisoning incident allegedly sickened eleven police officers at a retirement party. Several officers had to seek treatment at local hospitals. According to news reports, the food was apparently prepared privately and didn't come from a restaurant and it was not catered. The officers work at Police District 5, which covers the area just north of the downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. The event was for the retirement of a police supervisor and promotion of another officer. People started getting sick hours after the party. While there is no word on exactly which pathogen may have made these officers sick, there are some clues in the timing of the outbreak. Food poisoning that occurs so soon after eating could be caused by several pathogens, including … [Read more...]
Minnesota Norovirus Outbreaks Increase Significantly
Minnesota norovirus outbreaks have been increasing "significantly," in the past few weeks, according to a press release issued by the Minnesota Department of Health. Accordingly, officials are reminding restaurants and other food establishments that ill employees must not work, according to the Minnesota Food Code. Norovirus is a very contagious foodborne illness that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It is spread through person-to-person contact, through contact with fomites (hard surfaces), and through contaminated food and drink. There was reduced outbreak activity in food establishments during the COVID-19 pandemic, but as restrictions are lifting, so are outbreaks. To prevent these Minnesota norovirus outbreaks, employees must not work if they are ill with vomiting or diarrhea. … [Read more...]
Outbreak at Waterford Township School District in New Jersey
An outbreak at Waterford Township School District in New Jersey has closed school buildings for two weeks, according to a letter by Superintendent Dr. Brenda Haring that was sent to parents on May 10, 2021. According to the letter, employees who attended a luncheon held on May 6, 2021 that was catered by an outside vendor are sick with symptoms of food poisoning. More than 60% of the staff members got sick and are "continuing to recover." The district can't properly staff the building so they switched to an asynchronous day of instruction yesterday and continued that schedule today. The district reported the incident to the Camden County Department of Health and the Waterford Township Police Department for investigation. The pathogen that caused the illnesses is not yet known, … [Read more...]
How Do You Know If You Have a Norovirus Infection?
Norovirus is the most common type of food poisoning, causing about 685,000,000 case worldwide every year. The virus is extremely contagious and is passed through contaminated food and drink, through contact with contaminated surfaces, and through person-to-person contact. Most people with this infection do not require medical care, but some people, especially those in high risk groups such as the elderly, the very young, and people with chronic health conditions may become dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhea and need hospitalization. In children under the age of five, mostly in developing countries, this infection causes about 50,000 deaths every year. Symptoms of norovirus include: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Stomach pain Fever Headache Body aches Symptoms … [Read more...]
