News Update: TX 1 oyster recall
DSHS is reopening the TX 1 shellfish area to harvesting. Extensive bacteriological water sampling in the area after this month’s oyster recall shows that water quality meets National Shellfish Sanitation Program guidelines. Shoreline surveys found no new sources of pollution that would affect oysters. Following NSSP requirements, DSHS will reopen the area to harvesting at 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 29, 2022.
Previously:
DSHS has recalled oysters harvested in the TX 1 shellfish area of Galveston Bay between Nov. 17 and Dec. 7 due to an outbreak of norovirus illness associated with raw oysters. Consumers and restaurants should check the packaging of their in-shell and shucked Texas oysters or contact the seller to see where they were harvested and discard any from TX 1.
More than 230 suspected illness cases in eight states have been linked to eating raw oysters from the area, including 65 suspected cases in Texas. One Texas resident is known to have been hospitalized in the outbreak.
Norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach and/or intestine and leads to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, headache and body aches. Symptoms usually start 12 to 48 hours after exposure. Most people get better within a few days, but some may need to be hospitalized to treat dehydration.