Galveston Bay oysters linked to Multistate Norovirus Outbreak

United States

CDC is working with the FDA, the Texas Department of State Health Services, along with other state and local officials to investigate a multistate norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters from harvest area TX 1, Galveston Bay, Texas. As of December 15, 2022, 211 norovirus illnesses have been reported from 8 states (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, TN, and TX). This number is an estimate based on the information CDC has at this time. This investigation is ongoing.

On December 8, 2022, the Texas Department of State Health Services issued a recall on all oysters harvested between 11/17/2022 and 12/7/2022 from harvest area TX 1, Galveston Bay, Texas. They also informed the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference who notified other member states. This resulted in other states initiating recall measures consistent with the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference agreement. The FDA has confirmed that raw oysters harvested in area TX 1, Galveston Bay, Texas were potentially contaminated with norovirus and distributed to restaurants and retailers in AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, TN, and TX. It is possible that additional states received these oysters through further distribution within the U.S.

CDC advises restaurants and food retailers should not serve raw oysters from harvest area TX 1, Galveston Bay, Texas, harvested between 11/17/2022 and 12/7/2022, which will be printed on product tags. Throw away any remaining oysters or return them to your distributor for destruction. These oysters may be contaminated with norovirus. CDC advises following these steps:

- Wash and sanitize containers and surfaces that may have come into contact with these oysters.
- Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.

Consumers are urged to not eat any of these raw oysters. If you have oysters at home from any of these areas, throw them away. Clean any utensils or food preparation surfaces that may have touched the oysters.

Norovirus is very contagious and is easily transmitted from person to person most through the oral/fecal route. Considering that hand sanitizer does NOT work against this virus, it is important to wash your hands with soap frequently. Use bleach to clean and disinfect surfaces. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.

Source: www.cdc.gov/norovirus/outbreaks/index.html