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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning restaurants and retailers not to sell or serve recalled shellfish from a Washington State company due to potential norovirus contamination.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The recalled shellfish was harvested on March 22 through April 9, according to a safety alert<\/a> from the FDA.<\/p>\n The alert follows an April 10 recall<\/a> conducted by the Washington State Department of Health, cautioning the FDA about all species of shellstock from the company, Gomez Shellfish, due to norovirus-like illnesses that were associated with the consumption of raw oysters.<\/p>\n Norovirus is a contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea and is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).\u00a0<\/p>\n The recalled shellfish originally comes from a portion of Hammersley Inlet, Washington. The grower and all WA dealers contacted their buyers following the April recall. <\/p>\n The shellfish was distributed to restaurants and retailers in four states\u2014 California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. <\/p>\n According to the CDC, common norovirus symptoms<\/a> to watch for are <\/p>\n Other symptoms include fever, headache, dehydration and body aches. Symptoms usually develop 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus. <\/p>\n The FDA recommends that those who\u2019ve consumed the recalled products and are experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider and report their symptoms to their local health department.<\/p>\n Norovirus spreads quickly and easily\u2014by direct contact with someone with the virus, eating contaminated food and drinking liquids, and touching contaminated objects or surfaces.\u00a0<\/p>\n To prevent contracting and spreading norovirus, the CDC recommends<\/a> washing your hands well with soap and water and to refrain from preparing or handling food, or caring for others while sick. <\/p>\n The agency advises consumers to be mindful that the virus can still be spread for two weeks or more after you feel better.<\/p>\nWhere were affected product distributed?\u00a0<\/h2>\n
What norovirus symptoms should I look out for?\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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