News Release
California Department of Health Services
Number: 06-105
Date: December 8, 2006
For Release: Immediate
Contact: Mike Bowman or Lea Brooks
http://www.dhs.ca.gov
916-440-7660
State Health Department Advises Consumers Not to Eat Raw, Frozen, Half-Shell Oysters from Korea
SACRAMENTO - Consumers should not eat raw, frozen, half-shell oysters shipped from Central Fisheries Company in Korea because they may be contaminated with norovirus (gastrointestinal virus), State Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton advised today. This product has been linked to eight illnesses reported in late November in Oregon. No illnesses have been reported in California.
The oysters implicated in the Oregon outbreak were distributed to businesses in California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Texas by Fortuna Sea Products Inc. based in San Gabriel in Southern California. The affected oysters are labeled as "FROZEN PACIFIC OYSTER HALF SHELL I.Q.F. (Crassostrea gigas)," Size 40Gr up/pc; Distributed by: West Bay Marketing, Inc., 1600 Potrero Grande Drive, #7, Rosemead, CA 91770; Pack: 12 Dozens (144 pcs, 6kg) Bulk; and are labeled with lot number "6098" or a shuck date of "08/04/2006." Fortuna Sea Products Inc. initiated a recall of affected oysters on November 27.
In the Oregon outbreak, the Oregon Department of Health received reports of illness after individuals consumed the raw oysters during a private fundraising event. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported the presence of norovirus in oysters from the implicated lot.
Raw and undercooked oysters and seafood can be a source of norovirus and other pathogens. Individuals infected with norovirus can experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping. Individuals often experience low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Symptoms are usually experienced within 48 hours of exposure to the virus. The illness typically lasts one to two days and generally resolves on its own.
Consumers who may have eaten raw oysters from Korea between mid October and early December and experienced symptoms of norovirus are encouraged to contact their physician or local health department. Consumers who have concerns about frozen oysters purchased during this period should contact their place of purchase to determine if the oysters are from the affected lot. Frozen oysters from this lot should not be eaten and should be discarded.
For additional information, contact the California Department of Health Services at 916-650-6500 or 1-800-495-3232.
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