The FDA has issued a warning regarding specific oysters harvested in Canada and sold in the United States due to two people becoming infected with Campylobacter jejuni.
On Dec. 18, the Utah Shellfish Authority notified the Food and Drug Administration of two cases of Campylobacter linked to consumption of oysters from British Columbia, Canada. The FDA has alerted the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) about the illnesses, and the CFIA is conducting an investigation. The two patients ate oysters in Utah and Wisconsin, and the FDA is working with the CFIA and state authorities to determine if there was any additional distribution.
The FDA is currently waiting for the CFIA to provide more information on the distribution of the affected oysters and will continue to monitor the investigation, providing assistance to state authorities as necessary.
Restaurants and food retailers are advised by the FDA not to serve or sell, but to dispose of oysters. Consumers are also warned not to consume oysters from Pacific Oyster Fanny Bay, harvested on Nov. 8 from harvest area BC 14- 8 with Landfile # 1402294, and Oyster Malaspina Live, harvested on Nov. 9 from harvest area BC 14-8 with Landfile # 278761, which were shipped to distributors in Utah and Wisconsin.
Consuming oysters contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni can cause illness if eaten raw and potentially life-threatening illness in individuals with compromised immune systems. It is important to note that food containing Campylobacter jejuni may appear, smell, and taste normal. Anyone experiencing symptoms of illness after consuming these products should contact their healthcare provider and report their symptoms to their local Health Department.
People with Campylobacter infection typically experience diarrhea (often bloody), fever, and stomach cramps. Nausea and vomiting may also accompany the diarrhea. These symptoms usually appear 2 to 5 days after ingesting Campylobacter and persist for about one week.
In some cases, Campylobacter infections can lead to complications such as irritable bowel syndrome, temporary paralysis, and arthritis.
In individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with a blood disorder, AIDS, or receiving chemotherapy, Campylobacter can occasionally spread to the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection.
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