Raw Oyster Norovirus Outbreak: Shellfish Beds Near Shelton At Fault

SHELTON, WA - State health officials have traced the source of a recent norovirus-like illness outbreak to shellfish beds along a three-mile stretch of the Hammersley Inlet east of Shelton. The state has closed a number of small shellfish areas in recent weeks, but the ones along the inlet are the largest and are used by 31 shellfish companies.

On March 28, King County health officials reported that 39 people were sickened locally after eating raw oysters. The illnesses, which resemble norovirus, were reported over a period of about two months - between Jan. 10 and March 20 - by diners who ate at 11 different restaurants and one private event.

The state has placed a recall on all shellfish harvested from the Hammersley Inlet shellfish beds since March 15. The state has also issued recalls on smaller beds along the inlet harvested on March 2, April 4 and April 5.

“We are actively evaluating all potential pollution sources in the area to determine what is causing the contamination. The area will remain closed until we can assure that public health is protected,” Rick Porso, Director of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, said in a press release. “This issue underscores the importance of protecting our marine water, especially in areas where shellfish are grown.”

Although King County did not have lab confirmation that all of the illnesses were norovirus, the symptoms were very similar, and included nausea, vomiting, and diahrhea.

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