Oysters from Republic of Korea potentially contaminated with Norovirus linked to multi-state outbreak

Minnesota Department of Health sent this bulletin at 06/20/2023 04:05 PM CDT
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June 20, 2023

Oysters from Republic of Korea potentially contaminated with Norovirus linked to multi-state outbreak

Health officials are warning restaurants and retailers not to serve or sell frozen raw oysters, in half shell, Individual Quick Freezing (IQF), and block form, harvested between 2/10/2022 and 2/24/2022 and between 4/06/2022 and 4/21/2022 from Designated Area No. II, and exported by Dai One Food Co., Ltd. (KR-8-SP), and Central Fisheries Co., Ltd. (KR-6-SP), in Republic of Korea (ROK) due to possible norovirus GII contamination. Consumers should not eat these potentially contaminated raw oysters.

The Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are working with federal officials to investigate a possible norovirus outbreak linked to oysters harvested and exported as noted above. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that these potentially contaminated raw oysters were sold in AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IL, LA, MN, MS, NY, NJ, NC, SC, TN, TX, UT, and VA.

Norovirus

Symptoms of norovirus typically include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach cramps that begin 12 to 48 hours after ingestion of the virus. 

“People with norovirus can spread it to others even after symptoms stop,” MDH Epidemiologist Supervisor Senior Carlota Medus said. “The best way to limit spread is to wash your hands well with soap and water after using the bathroom and before preparing food for others.”

Oysters can cause illness if eaten raw, particularly in people with compromised immune systems. Food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell, and taste normal.

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