Multiple Individuals Sickened After Consuming Oysters in Louisiana Restaurants Harvested from Galveston Bay

Louisiana - The Texas Department of State Health Services has ordered the recall of oysters harvested in southeast Galveston Bay due to a risk of stomach illness, with 19 cases reported in Louisiana after consumption of the recalled oysters.

The Louisiana Department of Health reported on December 9, 2022, that the Texas Department of State Health Services has ordered the recall of oysters harvested in the southeastern portion of Galveston Bay.

The recall involves oysters harvested in the TX 1 region of southeast Galveston Bay between November 17 and December 7. Follow this link to view a map of oyster areas in Galveston Bay.

The Louisiana Department of Health is aware of 19 people who have suffered stomach illness after consuming raw oysters in Louisiana restaurants. In ten of these 19 instances, oysters were taken from the TX 1 region. Investigations are proceeding for the remaining nine cases.

Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially lethal bacteria found in warm, brackish, and salty coastal environments and in shellfish, is not now present throughout the summer months.

During inspections, the Office of Public Health (OPH) Sanitarian Services has provided restaurant owners with advice regarding the recalled oysters. Anyone presently experiencing a disease due to oysters should seek medical care. To report an illness associated with oysters to OPH, follow this link to contact a Public Health Inspector.

There are currently no cases related to oysters taken from Louisiana waters, and there is no need for concern regarding oysters from Louisiana.

As is the case with other raw protein sources, there may be a risk linked with consuming raw shellfish. If you are pregnant, have a chronic ailment of the liver, stomach, or blood, or suffer from other immunological illnesses, you should consume these goods well cooked.

Since November 17, consumers who have purchased oysters from Texas should check the container to determine if they were harvested in Texas 1. If the oysters were not wrapped, they should contact the seller to determine where they came from. For information regarding the origin of their oysters, restaurants must contact their distributor. Oysters from TX 1 should be discarded.

Several dozens of cases of gastrointestinal illness have been recorded by the Texas Department of State Health Services in relation to the recalled oysters.

Follow this link for additional information regarding the Texas oyster recall.