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The Food and Drug Administration has recalled oysters and clams harvested in Washington State due to a potential norovirus contamination.
Restaurants and food retailers are advised not to serve or sell raw oysters harvested by Drayton Harbor Oyster Company or Manila clams harvested by Lummi Indian Business Council between February 13 and March 3. The Washington Department of Health advised the FDA of a recall amid a norovirus-like outbreak association with raw oyster consumption.
"Shellstock, or raw, live molluscan shellfish such as oysters and clams contaminated with norovirus can cause illness if eaten, and potentially severe illness in people with compromised immune systems," the FDA wrote in its recall. The recalled Drayton Harbor Oyster Company products were distributed to restaurants and retailers in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington, though it's possible that they were also been distributed in other states.
Manila clams were reportedly shipped to distributors in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington. Common symptoms of norovirus, a highly contagious disease, include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
"People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus," the FDA wrote in its recall. "The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Other symptoms include fever, headache, and body ache.
"A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days."