Health officials warn of Norovirus risk from raw oysters, clams in California

The California Department of Health and the Los Angeles Public Health Department are warning consumers not to eat raw oysters and clams harvested from certain areas in British Columbia, Canada, and Pickering Passage, Washington, because they may be linked to an outbreak of norovirus in California.

The raw oysters and clams were served at various restaurants and venues across the state.

“As of Dec. 12, 2024, 57 confirmed and probable cases of norovirus have been reported among people who ate raw oysters from British Columbia while dining at several restaurants in California. People have reported becoming sick between Dec. 1 through 9, 2024,” a news release from CDPH said.

Restaurants and retailers should ensure that potentially contaminated raw oysters and clams are unavailable for sale.

The impacted products include:

Oysters with tags from the following landfile numbers

• BC 14-8, Landfiles: 1402193, 1402293, 1413888 
• BC 15-4, Landfiles: 2401247, 2401505 

The Pacific oysters may be marketed as Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, or Royal Miyagi Oysters.

• Oysters and clams from Rudy’s Shellfish that were harvested between Nov. 15 and Dec. 11.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that is often transmitted by having direct contact with someone infected. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Diarrhea
• vomiting
• Nausea
• Body aches
• Stomach cramping

Symptoms can start 12 to 48 hours after consuming the infected foods. Consumers are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider if they experience symptoms for more than 3 days, can’t keep food down, or feel very tired.

LA County residents can report foodborne illnesses here.