Los Angeles County, Ca. – Health officials in LA County are advising against eating raw oysters because of widespread norovirus outbreaks.
There have been reports of 69 outbreaks from oysters in San Diego and over 150 cases in LA, all traced back to oysters from the Gulf of California in Western Mexico, including areas like the Baja Peninsula and Sonora.
Dr. Lello Tesema from the LA County Health Department warns that norovirus spreads easily. He has informed restaurants and markets to stop selling or remove these oysters from their shelves.
Dr. Tesema advises that especially people with weaker immune systems and older individuals should steer clear of raw oysters for now.
Even though cooking oysters might reduce the risk, there’s still a chance of getting sick, especially if the oysters are from the places mentioned.
Norovirus can resist heat up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, says the CDC. This tough germ often causes outbreaks on cruise ships, leading to many passengers being confined with symptoms like diarrhea and headaches.
Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and sometimes stomach pain, lasting from one to three days, according to Tesema.
Each year, norovirus sends over 100,000 Americans to the hospital and causes nearly 1,000 deaths.
Dr. Tesema’s advice is to avoid eating oysters until it’s safe again, as declared by health officials.
