WPBN: At least eighty people became ill with norovirus as a result of an epidemic that was related to raw oysters, according to the Department of Public Health of Los Angeles County. The event was held to celebrate the best restaurants in Los Angeles.
According to the agency, the epidemic was caused by an event that took place on December 3 at the Hollywood Palladium to celebrate the Los Angeles Times’ ranking of the 101 best restaurants.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Although it is frequently referred to as the “stomach flu” or the “stomach bug,” it is responsible for causing these symptoms.
In the United States, it is the most common source of sickness that is transmitted by food. Stomach pain, fever, headache, body aches, and dehydration are some of the additional symptoms that may be present.
Keeping oneself at home while unwell, cleaning one’s hands properly, sanitizing surfaces that have been contaminated, washing one’s laundry in hot water, and washing one’s hands properly are all strategies to avoid the spread of the disease.
An official from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a statement in which they said, “At this time, over 80 attendees who consumed the oysters have reported illness.”
According to the statement, the Fanny Bay Select oysters and the Fanny Bay XS oysters that were produced by Pacific Northwest Shellfish Co. were the oysters that were served and have since been recalled.
Additional information provided by the FDA revealed that the date of the recall notification was December 13 and that the pack date of the oysters was indicated as November 25 or later.
Another Blow to California Policyholders as Insurance Company Cuts Back Coverage
In response to the recall, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States issued a warning on December 18 to restaurants, merchants, and consumers, advising them not to sell or consume the oysters in question due to the possibility that they were contaminated with norovirus.
15 states across the United States were included in the warning, which included states such as Hawaii, California, and Arizona, as well as Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the incident is thought to have started in British Columbia, which is located in Canada.
Santa Monica Seafood, the firm that provided the oysters for the event, issued a statement in which it stated that it is “aware of the ongoing investigation into the recent food illness outbreak linked to oysters served” and that it is working with the Public Health Department to investigate the outbreak.
Report: Florida Sets Record with Seven New Death Sentences in 2024
During the course of the investigation, the store stated that “there is no evidence to suggest mishandling at any point in the supply chain, including by Santa Monica Seafood or any of the restaurants participating in the LA Times event.” This statement was made while the investigation was still underway.
Attendees could pay anything from $264 for basic entry to upwards of $600 for VIP tickets to the restaurant event that was related with the outbreak that was hosted by the Los Angeles Times.
