Norovirus Outbreak Sickens 80 After Eating Raw Oysters at LA Restaurant Event
Norovirus Outbreak Sickens Dozens at LA’s Top Restaurant Celebration
At least 80 guests fell ill with norovirus after consuming raw oysters at a Los Angeles event honoring the city’s best restaurants.
The outbreak occurred on December 3rd at the Hollywood Palladium during the Los Angeles Times’ annual celebration of its 101 best restaurants. Health officials confirmed too ABC News that the culprit was raw oysters contaminated with the highly contagious norovirus.”Over 80 guests who consumed oysters have reported becoming ill,” a spokesperson for the Los Angeles county Department of Public Health stated.
The oysters, sourced from Pacific Northwest Shellfish Co., have since been recalled from the market.
FDA Issues Warning Across 15 States
The U.S. Food and drug Management (FDA) has issued a warning to restaurants and consumers in 15 states, urging them to avoid selling or consuming the affected oysters due to the potential for norovirus contamination.
Santa Monica Seafood, the company that supplied the oysters for the event, is cooperating with health officials in the ongoing investigation.
“There is no evidence of mishandling at any point in the supply chain, including at our facility or any of the restaurants that participated,” the company saeid in a statement.
Tickets for the Los Angeles Times’ restaurant event ranged from $264 for general admission to over $600 for VIP access.
LA Foodie Event Marred by Norovirus Outbreak, Dozens Ill After Consuming Contaminated Oysters
Los Angeles, CA – A prestigious culinary celebration turned sour as many attendees of teh Los Angeles Times’ 101 Best Restaurants event fell ill with norovirus after consuming raw oysters. Over 80 guests reported symptoms consistent with the highly contagious virus,confirmed health officials,who traced the contamination back to oysters sourced from Pacific Northwest Shellfish Co. The contaminated oysters, served at the December 3rd event held at the Hollywood Palladium, have since been recalled from market.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the warning to consumers and restaurants in 15 states, advising against the sale or consumption of potentially contaminated oysters.
Santa monica seafood, responsible for supplying oysters to the event, issued a statement affirming their cooperation with authorities and stating there’s no evidence of mishandling during transportation or at any of the participating restaurants. The company emphasized that its facility adhered to strict safety protocols.
Tickets for the event ranged from $264 for general admission to over $600 for VIP access.