Health officials are investigating a possible norovirus outbreak after dozens of people became sick after eating raw oysters at a Los Angeles Times 101 Best Restaurants event.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed that more than 80 people who attended the annual event, which brings together the area’s most famous and popular restaurants, reported symptoms including diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting.
The illnesses appear to be linked to raw oysters served at the Dec. 3 event, which have since been recalled, according to a public health spokesperson.
The California Department of Public Health recalled the oysters on Dec. 13, just days after dozens of illnesses were reported. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has since issued a warning to restaurants and retailers not to sell the oysters because they may be contaminated with norovirus. The warning affects restaurants and retailers in multiple states.
The oysters were provided by Fanny Bay Oysters, according to Los Angeles Times spokesperson Hilary Manning. Manning said the oysters were purchased by Santa Monica Seafood, a sponsor of the event, and served to a restaurant on the 101 Best Restaurants list.
LA Taco first reported news of the possible outbreak.
Like previous events hosted by the Los Angeles Times, Manning said all safety protocols were followed.
“We have been hosting cooking events for many years and take food safety very seriously,” she wrote in an email. “As is the case with each of our events, we have protocols in place and, based on inspections from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, we are adhering to all relevant safety standards. We also know that every chef and restaurant is doing a great job preparing and serving our community The effort that goes into food.
Without specific testing, there is no way for a vendor or restaurant to detect norovirus because it does not affect the taste, smell or appearance of the oysters.
The Los Angeles Times first learned on Dec. 11 that some people at the event were sick. On Dec. 12, public health contacted The Times about a group of people reporting illness.
Some event attendees reported not seeing any notifications or alerts from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Jamie Clegg, who purchased two tickets to the event, said he never saw the notification in the email.
“I don’t get anything, unless it accidentally ends up in spam,” he said.
He said he attended the event with a friend who is employed by the Los Angeles Times, and that person did receive an email from county health officials notifying them about the cluster and asking them to fill it out Anonymous questionnaire.
A county public health spokesman said the oysters served on Dec. 3 were part of a recalled batch of Fanny Bay Select and Fanny Bay XS oysters from Pacific Northwest Shellfish Co. that were packed on Nov. 25.
The outbreak remains under investigation.
According to the FDA, people infected with the virus may develop symptoms within 12 to 48 hours.
