Dozens sickened as ‘foodborne illness outbreak’ prompts recall in Canada

Dozens of people have fallen ill amid a “foodborne illness outbreak” that has prompted a recall in Canada, officials say.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has recalled certain Taylor Shellfish Canada ULC brand Oysters due to possible norovirus contamination as the BC Centre for Disease Control reports 64 illnesses.

In a notice posted on its website, the BC Centre for Disease Control said that between Nov. 1 and Dec. 18, 64 cases of norovirus-like illnesses have been reported in the province.

“Those affected have reported symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, and/or stomach pain after eating raw oysters from restaurants and retail locations,” the notice said.

“While some individuals have visited emergency departments, there have been no hospital admissions reported.”

The illnesses prompted an investigation by the CFIA and subsequent recall notice. Officials said other products could still be recalled.

The oysters were distributed in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.

Consumers should check to see if they have the recalled products and if so, throw them out or return them.

“Norovirus is a common cause of gastrointestinal illness, especially during the winter months,” the BC Centre for Disease Control said.

“Symptoms usually begin 12 to 48 hours after infection and can include nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever, and diarrhea. Symptoms can be intense (e.g., multiple episodes of vomiting in a short period of time) and generally last between 24 and 72 hours. Fluid loss or dehydration can be a serious problem for those who are very young and older adults.”

Norovirus spreads easily from person to person.

Food contaminated with noroviruses could look, smell and taste normal, the BC CDC said, adding that to kill norovirus, oysters can be cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 90 C for 90 seconds before eating.

Oysters can become contaminated with norovirus that is present in the environment where they are grown and harvested, officials said.

As part of the investigation into the outbreak, some areas have been closed to commercial shellfish harvesting.

The CFIA said the following products are part of the recall (you can scroll left to right if the whole table doesn’t fit on your screen):