Covering Louisiana
Oyster bed reopening 3 weeks after virus closure
Posted: May 30, 2012 11:35 AM by AP
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The state health department says a Terrebonne Parish oyster bed that was closed May 8 because of a norovirus outbreak will reopen a half-hour before sunrise Wednesday.
State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry and Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce Greenstein say health department tests have found that oysters in Area 23 are now safe to eat.
The bed was closed and oysters from the area were recalled after at least 14 people came down with norovirus after eating oysters from the bed at one New Orleans-area restaurant April 28 or 29. Guidry said the virus was traced to the oyster bed, which he says was probably contaminated by sewage dumped from a boat.
Guidry says it takes about 21 days for oysters to purge themselves of the virus.
Norovirus causes vomiting or diarrhea. DHH says the illnesses were not life-threatening, and nobody was even hospitalized. DHH would not disclose the restaurant where the contaminated oysters were eaten, saying it wasn't at fault.
Thorough cooking will kill the virus.
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