The FDA recalled oysters and clams from Washington state after several people got sick from norovirus. The shellfish came from Drayton Harbor near the Canadian border. Manila clams harvested by the Lummi Indian Business Council were shipped to stores in Washington, Oregon, California and six other states between February 13 and March 3.
Raw oysters from Drayton Harbor Oyster Company were sold in Washington. Norovirus causes vomiting, nausea, stomach pain and diarrhea. Symptoms usually start 12-48 hours after eating contaminated food and most people feel better in 1-3 days.
The illness can be worse for people with weak immune systems. Washington state has closed all shellfish harvesting in Drayton Harbor until at least March 24. The Lummi Nation takes shellfish safety seriously since harvesting is important for their economy and culture.
Most of their shellfish come from the Lummi Reservation, not Drayton Harbor. Companies quickly stopped selling the contaminated shellfish when reports came in.