Salmonella outbreak tied to raw oysters from a Virginia river
Health officials are tracking a Salmonella outbreak tied to raw oysters from Virginia's Little Wicomico River, The Washington Post and the CDC reported. The CDC counted 27 sick people in 12 states as of October 19. Oysters from that area harvested from September 18 to October 8 have been recalled.
Federal and state health officials are looking into a Salmonella outbreak tied to raw oysters from Virginia, according to The Washington Post and the CDC. The oysters came from the Little Wicomico Oyster Company, which harvests in the Little Wicomico River.
As of October 19, the CDC counted 27 sick people in 12 states. Five people were in the hospital, and no deaths were reported, the CDC said. The sick people range in age from 1 to 86. Their illnesses began between May 29 and September 14, according to the CDC.
The Virginia Department of Health has a larger count. As of October 21, it said 55 cases had been reported from 19 states in the wider Salmonella Telelkebir probe. The CDC is focusing on a smaller group of 27 cases from 12 states, the state said.
Of 13 sick people who were interviewed, 10 said they ate raw oysters, the CDC said. One oyster sample from the company tested positive for Salmonella in Pennsylvania, the CDC said. Tests are still underway to see if it matches the outbreak strain.
The company has recalled oysters harvested from September 18 to October 8, The Washington Post reported. Health officials say people should not eat, sell or serve them. Virginia has closed the harvest area for now. A person at the company said it was "aggressively working" with health officials, The Washington Post reported.
The FDA said the recalled oysters went to restaurants and stores in 15 states and the District of Columbia, including California, New York, Texas and Virginia. Oysters from other Virginia waters are not affected, the state said.
Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Most people get better in four to seven days, the state said. Young children, older adults and people with weak immune systems are more likely to get very sick, the FDA said. People with symptoms should call a doctor, the FDA said.
What we know: Officials link at least 27 illnesses to recalled raw oysters from one Virginia harvest area.
What we don't: Whether the larger count of 55 cases will be tied to the same oysters.
Where outlets agree The Washington Post and the CDC report that 27 people in 12 states are sick, and The Washington Post and the FDA report that oysters harvested from the Little Wicomico River from September 18 to October 8 have been recalled.
Where they differ The Washington Post, citing health officials, reports that symptoms usually start six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria, while the FDA says illness usually occurs 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food.