Vancouver Coastal Health issues raw oyster alert after dozens sickened by norovirus

Vancouver Coastal Health has issued a warning after dozens of people fell sick from eating raw British Columbia oysters.

The health authority says in a statement lab tests have confirmed the presence of norovirus in some of the cases and that it is suspected in others.

It says the B.C. Centre for Disease Control has issued a notice to restaurants and retailers in the province about the risk.

It says since March 14 more than 50 people have been affected with acute gastrointestinal illness, including stomach pain, diarrhea or vomiting after eating raw oysters.

It says oyster harvest areas will be closed until the contamination clears.

The health authority statement advises people to cook oysters at 90 C for 90 seconds to kill norovirus and other germs.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 19, 2022.