SACRAMENTO – California health officials have issued a warning about raw oysters from British Columbia, Canada, following a norovirus outbreak that has affected multiple counties across the state. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported 57 confirmed and probable cases of norovirus infection between December 1 and December 9, 2024, all connected to the consumption of raw oysters at California restaurants.
The investigation conducted by CDPH and local health authorities has traced the source to oysters harvested from specific areas in British Columbia during late November and early December 2024. While no official recalls have been announced, several distributors have voluntarily removed the potentially contaminated oysters from the market.
The affected oysters, which may still be available in retail locations due to their current shelf life, are identified by specific landfile numbers:
- BC 14-8 (Landfiles 1402193, 1402293, 1413888)
- BC 15-4 (Landfiles 2401247, 2401505)
These Pacific oysters may be sold under the brand names Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, or Royal Miyagi Oysters.
CDPH is actively collaborating with local public health departments, California shellfish distributors, and federal partners to remove the implicated oysters from the market. Restaurants and retailers have been advised to check their inventory and shellfish labels to ensure potentially contaminated products are not sold to consumers.
Consuming contaminated shellfish poses health risks to the general population, with heightened concern for immunocompromised individuals. According to FDA reports, contaminated seafood maintains normal appearance, odor, and taste despite viral presence, making visual inspection unreliable for detecting contamination.
Norovirus typically manifests symptoms within a 12 to 48-hour window following exposure. Primary symptoms include severe diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and acute stomach pain. Additional symptoms may present as fever, headache, and widespread body aches. While most patients recover within one to three days, the illness can trigger intense episodes of vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dangerous dehydration levels.
Dehydration risks are particularly significant for vulnerable populations, including young children, elderly individuals, and those with underlying health conditions. Medical professionals advise monitoring for decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness upon standing. In pediatric cases, parents should watch for reduced tear production during crying and unusual patterns of sleepiness or irritability.
Health officials recommend cooking shellfish to an internal temperature of at least 145°F to kill the virus. Quick steaming is insufficient to kill Norovirus. People who have consumed raw oysters and developed symptoms should contact their healthcare provider and report their illness to their local health department.
CDPH has a Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 where consumers can get updated information about shellfish advisories and quarantines.
LOS ANGELES – Norovirus Outbreak at LA Times Restaurant Event Linked to Contaminated Oysters
At least 80 attendees reported falling ill after consuming raw oysters at the Los Angeles Times’s 101 Best Restaurants celebration held at the Hollywood Palladium on December 3, 2024. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) has confirmed these cases as part of a larger multi-jurisdictional norovirus outbreak linked to contaminated oysters from British Columbia.
The health department has identified Fanny Bay Select and Fanny Bay XS oysters from Pacific Northwest Shellfish Co with batch code BC740SP packed on or after November 25, 2024, as the source of the outbreak. The oysters were supplied by Santa Monica Seafood, an event sponsor, and served at a raw bar during the culinary celebration.
Affected guests experienced severe gastrointestinal symptoms, with reports of diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. The health department has initiated an investigation, requesting stool samples from event attendees to confirm the outbreak’s extent.
On December 13, 2024, California’s Department of Public Health issued a recall for the implicated oysters, followed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s advisory on December 18.
LADPH’s investigation included an inspection of the restaurant’s storage and handling procedures, as well as the event’s food safety protocols. The department confirmed that both the restaurant and event organizers had met and exceeded required food safety standards.
This incident follows a similar outbreak earlier in 2024, when over 150 cases of gastrointestinal illness were reported in Los Angeles County, linked to raw oysters harvested from various locations in Mexico, including the Gulf of California, Baja Peninsula, and Sonora.
Consumers who experience symptoms after consuming raw oysters are advised to seek medical attention and report their illness to local health authorities.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading norovirus lawyer said, “Norovirus makes up almost half of all foodborne illness outbreaks in the country. It is critically important to stick to proper hygiene protocols of thorough hand washing and washing foods before meal preparation. If you have become ill from Norovirus, you may want to consult an experienced food poisoning lawyer.”
