05-02-2025
Louisiana recalls oysters after 15 people report norovirus-like illness: What to know
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The Louisiana Department of Health closed an oyster harvesting area after 15 people reported norovirus-like illnesses.
Oysters from Area 3, located east of Lake Borgne and north of Eloi Bay including Chandeleur Islands and nearby marshes, were recalled. The closure includes all oysters harvested from this area since Jan. 10, 2025. This includes shucked, frozen, and breaded oysters. It also covers post-harvest processed oysters and those for the half-shell market.
State health officials said 15 people got sick after eating these oysters at New Orleans restaurants. According to LDH, the illnesses were not life-threatening, but two people were hospitalized and have since been discharged.
Norovirus symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach cramps.
'Sometimes people have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a general sense of tiredness. The illness is usually brief, with symptoms lasting a day or two,' LDH said.
People can get the illness through contaminated food, particularly raw or undercooked shellfish. Cooking oysters kills the virus but outbreaks can happen from eating undercooked oysters from contaminated waters.
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LDH said all oysters from outside Area 3 and all other Louisiana seafood are safe to eat.
The closure order signed by Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and LDH Secretary Michael Harrington starts immediately and will last for at least 21 days.
The department is working with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to make sure no oysters are taken from these waters during the closure. LDH has informed local oyster harvesters in the affected area and the Louisiana Oyster Task Force.
If you think you got sick from contaminated oysters, report it to LDH. Contact your regional epidemiologist. You can also submit a report online at LDH's website.
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