FDA Cites Norovirus in Raw Oysters in South Texas Gulf

ROCKVILLE, Md., March 5 -- The FDA has warned about a norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters harvested in San Antonio Bay, on the Texas Gulf coast north of Corpus Christi.

The agency said that 25 people who consumed raw oysters at a "bull and oyster" event in Maryland on Feb. 9 tested positive for norovirus. The oysters were traced to San Antonio Bay.

The implicated oyster beds in the San Antonio Bay were closed by the Texas Department of Health Services on Feb. 24 and remain closed. Bayview Seafood, a distributor in Seadrift, Tex., issued a voluntary recall of the oysters on Feb. 26.

Another distributor, Rose Bay Oyster Company of Swanquarter, N.C., issued a voluntary recall on Feb 28. The Rose Bay recall included oysters that the company said were mislabeled as harvested from Galveston Bay (tags read Gal 1, 2/2/07) that were actually harvested from San Antonio Bay.

Norovirus symptoms usually occur within two days of exposure and symptoms include low-grade fever, chills, muscle aches, and fatigue. The illness typically lasts one to two days.

Persons with weakened immune systems, including those affected by HIV/AIDS, and persons with chronic alcohol abuse, liver, stomach or blood disorders, cancer, diabetes or kidney disease should avoid raw oyster consumption altogether, regardless of where the oysters are harvested.