Salmonella outbreak linked to Virginia oysters sickens 27 people

A Salmonella outbreak linked to raw oysters harvested from Virginia's Little Wicomico River has sickened 27 people across 12 states. According to the CDC and FDA, five individuals have been hospitalized, though no deaths have been reported.

The affected oysters were harvested between September 18 and October 8 by the Little Wicomico Oyster Company. The company issued a voluntary recall on October 9. The product, identified as whole, in-shell oysters with harvester certification number VA-1421-SP, was distributed to restaurants and retailers across 16 locations, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Pennsylvania has reported the highest number of cases with eight illnesses, followed by New York and Virginia. The specific strain involved has been identified as Salmonella Telelkebir. In response, the Virginia Department of Health has issued an emergency closure for parts of the Little Wicomico River, prohibiting shellfish harvesting in the area through November 7.