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Health Officials Warn Of Norovirus Outbreak Linked To Canadian Oysters

At least 100 people in California have reported getting sick after eating raw oysters from British Columbia, Canada.
Posted at 1:32 PM, May 03, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-03 13:32:08-04

Health officials are warning people about a norovirus outbreak tied to oysters harvested in British Columbia, Canada.

As of late April, 100 people in California had reported getting sick after eating the raw oysters.

And in Canada, more than 170 illnesses have been reported. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed potentially contaminated oysters have also been distributed to Illinois, New York, Alaska, Massachusetts and Washington.

Spread through contaminated food and water, norovirus is a highly contagious infection that can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. 

Officials recommend cooking oysters thoroughly until they reach an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit, since it's been proven norovirus can survive temperatures less than that.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN