Officials with Yavapai County Community Health Services are advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell certain oysters and Manila clams harvested in Washington state due to possible contamination with norovirus. The FDA issued advisory applies to raw oysters harvested by Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and Manila clams harvested by the Lumi Indian Business Council from the Drayton Harbor harvest area in Washington state. The shellfish were harvested between February 13 and March 3 of this year, and shipped to distributors in several states, including Arizona. The shellfish could cause illness if consumed and the risk can be more serious for individuals with compromised immune systems.
Officials note that food containing norovirus may appear, smell, and taste normal. But consumers who have eaten these products and are experiencing symptoms are advised to contact their healthcare provider and report symptoms to their local health department.
Common symptoms of norovirus include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Additional symptoms may include fever, headache, and body aches. Health officials recommend restaurants and retailers not serve or sell the potentially contaminated oysters or clams. They should dispose of them, maintain proper sanitation methods to avoid cross-contamination, and consumers should not eat the affected oysters or Manila clams.