The California Department of Public Health has issued a warning to distributors and retailers regarding raw oysters from a Korean company believed to be linked to norovirus cases. This warning was issued after health officials reported that oysters from JBR Inc., a company based in Tongyeongsi, South Korea, are likely connected to at least 33 confirmed and probable cases of norovirus in San Diego County in late March and April.
The oysters in question were shipped under the unique identifier “KR 15 SP” on the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List and may also be labeled “Amazing Sea Brand.” Two California distributors, S.J. Distributors LLC in San Jose and Great Wall Seafood LA LLC in Irwindale, have issued recalls of the oysters. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in the Republic of Korea has advised the company to voluntarily recall the distributed lots.
Restaurants and retailers who have the potentially contaminated raw oysters are being urged to discard any leftover product. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious gastrointestinal illness, spreading person-to-person through contaminated surfaces and contaminated food. Symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps, which can last for one to three days.
For more information on shellfish advisories, individuals can visit the California Department of Public Health website.