Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Norovirus,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on March 10, 2026
Certain Washington clams and oysters collected in Drayton Harbor are subject to recall due to connection with potential norovirus illnesses. A recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory announced the situation in an effort to reduce additional illnesses associated with the product.
Oysters are commonly associated with norovirus, Vibrio, and other germs. Clams do not typically make headlines, but they hold the same risk as their bivalve neighbors.
What prompted the recall for these Washington clams and oysters? Which Washington clams and oysters are being recalled? Where does norovirus contamination come from, and why are clams and oysters vulnerable? How do you know if you have norovirus and what should you do if you get sick?
Let’s dive in!
Recalls do not happen without a reason. So, what exactly prompted the Washington clams and oysters recall?
As it turns out, people started falling sick.
The FDA was informed by the Washington Department of Health on March 4, 2026 that reports of norovirus-like illnesses have been associated with raw oyster consumption from these shellstock harvest area dates.
Washington state has issued their own recall for certain clams and oysters. The FDA followed suit.
Which Washington clams and oysters have been recalled?
According to the recall notice, “Washington State is conducting a recall for shellstock due to norovirus-like illnesses associated with raw oyster consumption.” Manilla clams were also included in the recall notice.
Check Shellstock Dates for Manilla Clams and Oysters from Drayton Harbor Growing Area:
Oysters: Drayton Harbor Oyster Company (WA-1723-SS)
Manilla Clams: Lummi Indian Business Council (WA-0098-SS)
Collection dates: 2/13/26 through 3/3/26
Shellstock collected from the Drayton Harbor growing area are on the list. The recall specifically includes oysters collected from Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and Manilla clams from Lummi Indian Business Council collected between 2/13/26 and 3/3/26.
Oyster were shipped within the state of Washington. Manilla clams were shipped to the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, New York, Oregon. Manilla clams were also shipped to Canada.
Reports indicate that all distributors have contacted retail establishments that received the recalled Washington clams and oysters and “it is likely all shellstock has been consumed.”
However, recalled product may remain in retailer or consumer freezers. Also, additional illnesses may have occurred but either have not been reported or have not been connected to the Washington State illnesses.
Meanwhile, the FDA is awaiting further information and continues to monito the investigation.
According to the Advisory, “restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell the potentially contaminated oysters or Manilla clams. Restaurants and retailers should dispose of any products by throwing them in the garbage or contacting their distributor to arrange for destruction.
In addition to not serving or eating potentially contaminated Washington clams and oysters, efforts to reduce and control cross-contamination of equipment and the food processing environment should be exercised.
This includes simple steps like ensuring staff wash their hands with warm soap and water following cleaning and sanitizing protocols.
Retailers, restaurants, and food service operators should evaluate potential cross-contamination of cutting surfaces and utensils that may have come into contact with potentially contaminated shellstock.
Bulk containers and food contact surfaces should be cleaned and sanitized.
Norovirus is a type of viral infection often referred to as a “stomach flu.” Despite it being completely unrelated to influenza virus. It is also referred to as a “stomach bug,” which is more accurate than the former, but downplays the true source of the illness. As well as how contagious the illness can be.
Only a few viral particles are necessary to cause illness.
This makes it easy to contaminate food and even easier to spread from one sick person to another.
Oysters (and clams) are filter feeders.
They consume food by pulling water into their bodies, filtering what they eat, and release the rest back into the water. All day. Every day.
A single mature oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day! Clams filter up to 15 gallons.
That is a lot of filtration!
So much so, some water remediation companies even put oysters to work in applications that clean up polluted areas. This is because they are even more effective than some industrial processes commonly used for the purpose.
It is this function, however, that contributes to the risk of norovirus (along with other pathogen contamination).
You see, in addition to the food they consume, they also hold onto potential germs floating in the water.
When the water they live in is contaminated with sewage or other contaminants, you have a big problem. Albeit an invisible one.
These germs don’t impact the oyster. They leave no signs of illness or visual indication. But it certainly impacts the humans that consume them.
Only specialized laboratory tests performed on fecal samples can accurately diagnose norovirus. You can infer diagnosis if you have the same symptoms and similar food experiences to someone who has already been diagnosed.
Most people begin feeling symptoms within 12 to 48 hours of exposure.
Common symptoms of norovirus infection include:
Recovery times can vary from person to person. Depending on severity of illness. However, most people feel better within a few days (1 to 3). You are most contagious and likely to transmit your illness to others while you are feeling sick through the first few days of feeling better.
Vomiting and diarrhea multiple times a day can lead to dehydration – a dangerous complication.
Especially for young children, older adults, and those with other existing illnesses.
Dehydration symptoms may include:
Contact your healthcare provider if you or someone you are caring for becomes severely dehydrated.
If you have been seriously impacted by your norovirus illness from oysters or clams harvested in Drayton Harbor, you may have a legal case.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a norovirus lawyer to help you navigate the legal process.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has recovered millions of dollars in food contamination and product liability suits to help cover medical expenses, missed work, and other burdens associated with foodborne illness.
Call (833) 330-3663 or submit your information on the online submission form for a free, no obligation consultation to go over the details of your situation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)