29 Minnesotans Get Norovirus After Eating Raw Oysters At Restaurant

ROBBINSDALE, MN — At least 29 Minnesotans became sick as a result of eating raw oysters that came from a specific bay in British Columbia, health officials said Friday.

All 29 contracted norovirus gastroenteritis after eating raw oysters at Travail Kitchen in Robbinsdale on March 20. The Stellar Bay Gold oysters were harvested in Canada on March 10.

"Travail Kitchen quickly brought the cases to our attention, and immediately stopped serving oysters," said Duane Hudson, a manager for Hennepin County Public Health, said in a news release.

"We are grateful to Travail for their help in protecting the public from foodborne illnesses."

The oysters came from Bay 14-8 CLF #140706 in British Columbia. Health officials say that the oysters from this area are likely still in the marketplace. Restaurants and distributors are being asked to check shellshock tags and discard oysters from that specific harvest area.

Norovirus facts

Norovirus can be killed by cooking to 145 degrees Fahrenheit before eating. People can prevent spreading the norovirus by washing their hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Symptoms of norovirus can begin 12 to 48 hours after ingestion and include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps

There is currently a high level of norovirus illness in Minnesota, and most of it is not linked to eating oysters, health officials said.