Together with state and federal partners, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recently responded to a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Telekibir infections linked to raw oysters.
Based on data collected to date, consumption of raw oysters from a single Virginia harvest area, Little Wicomico River, is the likely source for recent illnesses in this genomic subcluster, reported Virginia Department of Health Division of Shellfish Safety director Danielle Schools.
Out of an abundance of caution, VDH issued an emergency shellfish closure on October 9 and worked with the grower for an oyster recall.
Given the positive Salmonella results from October 13 and 21 oyster samples, effective November 8, the harvesting area closure was extended beyond the end of the 30-day emergency closure pursuant, said Schools. The condemned area includes all of the Little Wicomico River and its tributaries. The closure is indefinite.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued a Food Safety Alert and the U.S. Food and Drug Administrationissued a Safety Alert.
Officials have tracked at least 28 illnesses across 13 states; five people have been hospitalized.
VDH oversees more than 90 shellfish growing areas covering four major rivers and their tributaries, the Chesapeake Bay, and estuaries of the Atlantic Ocean. Shellfish products harvested from the other Virginia growing areas are not impacted by the emergency closure or recall, said Schools.
