Close X
Thursday, January 16, 2025
ADVT 
National

Dozens get sick with 'norovirus-like' illness after eating raw B.C. oysters

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Dec, 2024 12:44 PM
  • Dozens get sick with 'norovirus-like' illness after eating raw B.C. oysters

Health officials in British Columbia say at least 64 people have become sick after eating raw oysters from restaurants and retail locations.

A statement from the BC Centre for Disease Control and the provincial health authority says the "norovirus-like" gastrointestinal illnesses have been reported since Nov. 1 in the Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and Island Health regions. 

Federal agencies have closed some areas of the province to commercial shellfish harvesting, including parts of Baynes Sound, west of Denman Island, while the cases are being investigated.

Authorities say some people went to emergency departments with symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach pain, but there have been no hospital admissions reported.

The statement says norovirus is common during the winter months, and can cause intense symptoms, including dehydration which can be a serious problem for older adults or those who are very young. 

Norovirus spreads very easily from person to person but can also be caused by consuming contaminated food or water. 

The statement says food contaminated with noroviruses may look, smell and taste normal, and that to kill the virus oysters can be cooked to an internal temperature of 90 C for 90 seconds before eating.

"Oysters can become contaminated with norovirus that may be present in the marine environment where they are grown and harvested," the statement says.

"The BC Centre for Disease Control and regional health authorities are reminding the public of risks associated with consuming raw or undercooked oysters, especially those who may be at higher risk of severe illness such as children, older adults or people who may be immunocompromised."

MORE National ARTICLES

Homicide investigators looking for info for Surrey teen's body found last week

Homicide investigators looking for info for Surrey teen's body found last week
Homicide investigators say they want to speak with anyone who may know more about a 17-year-old who was found dead in Surrey last week.  Police say they’ve determined the death of Michael Zhao has no connections to the B-C gang conflict and it appears to be an isolated death.

Homicide investigators looking for info for Surrey teen's body found last week

Calgary's restrictions on sprinkler and water hose use to remain until further notice

Calgary's restrictions on sprinkler and water hose use to remain until further notice
Calgary's outdoor water restrictions will remain in place for now. The city has been cautiously testing the water system in recent days, and says there were issues at both water treatment plants, including pumps at water intakes.

Calgary's restrictions on sprinkler and water hose use to remain until further notice

Sandeep Singh Cheema dies in head on semi trailer collision

Sandeep Singh Cheema dies in head on semi trailer collision
Sandeep Singh Cheema, 41, a beloved father and husband, passed away as a result of a horrific head-on collision that occurred on July 16th, when a speeding semi-trailer drove through a red light as Sandeep was about to turn into his workplace to park his semi-trailer truck for the night and head home to his wife and daughters.

Sandeep Singh Cheema dies in head on semi trailer collision

Wildfire continues to rage in Ashcroft

Wildfire continues to rage in Ashcroft
Ashcroft Mayor Barbara Roden says her community is in a wait-and-see situation as the 150-square-kilometre Shetland Creek wildfire looms nearby. Roden says Interior Health has moved 21 long-term care residents and five in assisted living out of the area as a precaution, as locals have been told to be ready to evacuate on short notice.

Wildfire continues to rage in Ashcroft

Body found in water: VPD

Body found in water: VPD
Vancouver Police say they're investigating a woman's death after her body was found in the water near a popular downtown beach over the weekend. A statement from Sergeant Steve Addison says a passerby saw the body at Sunset Beach yesterday.

Body found in water: VPD

Homicide in Maple Ridge

Homicide in Maple Ridge
Police are investigating a homicide in Maple Ridge. R-C-M-P say officers responded to reports of a woman bleeding from serious injuries along 232 Street, just north of Maple Ridge Park, yesterday afternoon. 

Homicide in Maple Ridge