Norovirus Outbreak tied to Oyster Beds
An oyster harvesting area off the Louisiana coast will remain closed for at least 21 days in connection with a Norovirus outbreak that occurred at a seafood conference in Mississippi.
The closure of the Plaquemines Parish molluscan shellfish harvesting area was ordered by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Wednesday. The order also recalled all oysters harvested from the area since March 6, including shucked, frozen, breaded and post-harvest processed oysters, and oysters for the half shell market.
"Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry signed the closure order when the Department was notified by the Mississippi State Department of Health that a Norovirus outbreak may have been caused by oysters harvested from Basin 4, Area 7,'' said a press release.
Eleven people at the seafood conference were sickened and one was hospitalized.
Norovirus is a virus that causes flu-like symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping for one to two days on average. Occasional symptoms may include low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.
The food most commonly associated with Norovirus outbreaks is shellfish. Clams, oysters and other shellfish can become contaminated from raw sewage dumped by boaters. Water, ice, produce and ready-to-eat foods are also common sources of Norovirus infection.
