The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Warns Consumers not to Eat Raw Oysters from Baja California

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommended that consumers avoid eating raw oysters harvested from Estero El Cardon in Baja California Sur, Mexico because they are linked to an outbreak of gastrointestinal illnesses in California. Twelve California customers that consumed raw oysters sold by restaurants and retailers located in Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, and San Diego Counties, have been reported sick in February, March, and April. The raw oysters have been distributed throughout the state. Laboratory testing was performed for eight cases and multiple pathogens were identified: Vibrio parahaemolyticus (3), Vibrio albensis (1), Vibrio species unidentified (1), Shigella flexneri serotype 1 (2), and norovirus (1). One of the Vibrio parahaemolyticus cases was co-infected with non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The investigation is ongoing. Traceback evidence collected to date confirms that the oysters were harvested from Estero El Cardon. Shellfish authorities in Mexico have been notified about the outbreak and are investigating. @ https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR19-010.aspx