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The Southern Nevada Health District is investigating several cases of food poisoning in Clark County linked to consuming oysters. At least five people have reported illness, says a news release published by the agency on May 6, 2025.
Here’s what we know about the cases of food poisoning in Clark County and the imported oyster recall associated with the investigation.
Reports from Las Vegas indicated at least five cases of “acute gastrointestinal illnesses linked to the consumption of certain frozen half-shell oysters from South Korea.” No hospitalizations have been reported so far.
While no epidemiological link has been confirmed, sick patients reported eating oysters prior to becoming sick.
The Southern Nevada Health District is cooperating with the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on this investigation.
Places where the potentially contaminated oysters were consumed pointed to a specific processor and a harvest area in the Republic of Korea.
The Health District notified the California Department of Public Health, as the oysters were imported through California ports of entry and may have been distributed to that state as well.
The oysters potentially included in this outbreak were likely not available to the public. They were primarily distributed to restaurants.
Affected product could be identified on the seafood tag as follows:
Processor Name: JBR (KR-15-SP)
Harvest Location: Designated Area No. 1, Republic of Korea
Harvest Date: Jan. 6, 2025
Best Before: Jan. 6, 2027
Lot Code: B250106
While the exact germ responsible for the food poisoning in Clark County is currently unknown, reports indicate typical gastrointestinal symptoms from sick patients.
Outbreak patients indicated experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Some patients also had fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and/or fatigue.
In March, a norovirus outbreak in California was associated with Republic of Korea Oysters. But instead of Designated Area No.1, the associated oysters were harvested from Designated Area No. 2.
That outbreak also involved oysters primarily sold to restaurants.
So, what is making these people sick?
It could be any number of germs.
Certain bacteria and viruses are a natural part of the ecosystem shared with oysters. This, combined with opportunities for pathogen exposure during the harvesting process movement through the supply chain, allows several points of potential contamination.
Pathogens like Salmonella, norovirus, Listeria, hepatitis A, and other germs may be present in raw oysters.
While the most commonly associated germ involved in oyster-related foodborne outbreaks is Vibrio, symptoms do not entirely line up.
In addition to food poisoning by consuming contaminated oysters, handling raw oysters can also cause life-threatening infections if Vibrio vulnificus is involved.
Foodborne Vibrio infection symptoms can begin anywhere from four hours to four days after exposure. But onset is usually around 24 hours after consuming something contaminated with the bacteria.
Common symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting. However, these bacteria can cause serious illness if it reaches the bloodstream. In this case, as many as one in five people die from their infection. Others may require limb amputations.
Combined with the reported symptoms and historical association of norovirus and oysters from this harvest region, my money is on norovirus.
Unfortunately, norovirus illness is often fast moving. Without active shedding during sampling, accurate diagnoses are not achieved. This is why most cases of norovirus infection go unreported.
Norovirus symptoms are essentially what most people think of when they hear “gastrointestinal illness.”
Common norovirus symptoms include:
Some people may also experience fever, headache, or body aches. Symptoms leading people to call this illness the “stomach flu.”
In most cases, people begin feeling sick within 12 to 48 hours of exposure. Symptoms generally resolve within a few days, though they may continue to spread the virus for several more days.
Dehydration is a serious concern in norovirus illnesses. These gastrointestinal symptoms tend to dehydrate the body. This type of complication occurs more commonly in children, older adults, and those already fighting other illnesses. Though anyone can fall victim to dehydration.
Common dehydration symptoms include:
Acute gastroenteritis is also a serious concern with norovirus infections. This happens when the virus causes inflammation in the lining of the stomach or intestines. This inflammation generally resolves once the virus has run its course.
If you have recently become sick with food poisoning in Clark County and have consumed oysters from a restaurant, you may be involved in this outbreak.
There are a few things you can do to help your situation.
Despite dehydration being a serious concern, it is not advisable to take anti-diarrheal medication for norovirus symptoms. Constipating the digestive system may keep the virus in your body longer, creating an outcome of prolonged illness and potential inflammation.
Foodborne illness can be contagious. Norovirus is exceptionally so. Reduce further spread of the illness by washing your hands. Use warm, soapy water and scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
If you have fallen sick with gastrointestinal illness, making a list of where and what you have eaten recently can help investigators trace back your illness to a potential source. When common foods or places overlap, investigators have a place to start.
The Southern Nevada Health District announced that “people who ate oysters during April and experienced acute gastrointestinal illness can complete the foodborne illness complaint form” or call (702) 759-1300.
If you have been seriously impacted by this outbreak of food poisoning in Clark County and have questions, a food poisoning lawyer can help. They can answer questions you have and explain the process of making a legal claim.
The experienced Food Poisoning Lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC have helped recover millions of dollars in food poisoning and food product liability cases for families with situations just like yours.
Call (833) 330-3663 for a free, no obligation consultation. Or click here to fill out our online submission form.
Don’t wait. Get the advice and help you need today!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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