The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has closed a molluscan shellfish harvesting area (area 3) and ordered a recall of all oysters harvested from that area since January 10, 2025. This includes shucked, frozen, breaded, post-harvest processed, and oysters for the half-shell market due to norovirus-like illnesses reported after oysters were consumed from Area 3. Area 3 is located east of Lake Borgne, north of Eloi Bay, and includes Chandeleur Islands and surrounding marshes. Fifteen people became ill with norovirus-like illness after eating the Louisiana oysters harvested from Area 3 at several New Orleans restaurants between January 15 and January 31. The illnesses were not life-threatening, but two people were hospitalized and have been discharged. The closure order took effect on February 4, 2025. The Area 3 harvesting area is expected to be closed for at least 21 days. LDH has notified local oyster harvesters who work in the affected area and the Louisiana Oyster Task Force. The Department is continuing its health investigations and environmental monitoring of the closed oyster waters and will reopen them as soon as they meet Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) standards. This determination is made by staff with the Office of Public Health’s Molluscan Shellfish Program. Oyster waters are cleaned by the natural cycle of tides. Oysters are filter feeders and can accumulate contaminants and microorganisms present in the water, which can, in turn, affect people who eat raw or under-processed contaminated oysters. @ https://ldh.la.gov/news/oyster-recall
