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The Public Health Agency of Canada reported this week that the norovirus/gastrointestinal illnesses outbreak linked to raw oysters from British Columbia that began earlier this year appears to be over and the outbreak investigation has been closed.

Public domain image/Daderot

Investigation findings identified consumption of raw oysters from British Columbia as the source of the outbreak. As a result, some oyster harvesting areas in British Columbia that were associated with the outbreak were closed as a part of the investigation.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued several food recalls throughout February, March, and April.

In total, 339 confirmed cases of norovirus and gastrointestinal illness were reported in the following provinces: British Columbia (301), Alberta (3), Saskatchewan (1), Manitoba (15) and Ontario (19). Individuals became sick between mid-January and early April 2022, and no deaths were reported.

The U.S. CDC also investigated a multistate norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters from British Columbia.

The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Other symptoms include fever, headache, and body ache.

A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days.

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If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill, and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses.

Symptoms of dehydration include decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up.