Louisiana Oysters Contaminated With Norovirus, FDA Warns

Rockville, MD (AHN) - The Food and Drug Administration warned consumers Saturday against eating oysters harvested from a part of West Karako Bay in Louisiana for possible contamination of the norovirus.

In an advisory published at the agency's website, the FDA said customers must particularly avoid mussels harvested between Dec. 3 and Dec. 21 from growing area 3 of the bay.

Norovirus infection results in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping. Other symptoms include chills, headache, low-grade fever, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness.

These symptoms usually manifest within 48 hours from viral exposure.

Recent study shows the norovirus causes around 50% of all gastroenteritis around the world.

Very young children and the elderly and people wit weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to norovirus, also known as Norwalk, the FDA said.

The agency advised consumers to discard oysters if these were harvested from the identified area and within the specified period.

At least seven victims have been reported after eating oysters at a Tennessee restaurant. The mussels were confirmed to have been harvested from West Karako Bay and shipped by Prestige Oyster Company of Theriot, Louisiana.

The FDA said cooking destroys the virus, eliminating the risk of illness and recommended that consumers cook the mussels thoroughly instead of eating them raw.