# RI.gov: Rhode Island Government


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HEALTH Advises Restaurants and Markets to Not Use Certain Lots of Oysters and Clams due to Connecticut Shellfish Closure and Recall

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) advises restaurants, markets, and consumers that raw and undercooked oysters and hard clams harvested from waters with specific lot numbers in Norwalk and Westport, Connecticut have been implicated as the source of a number of illnesses related to the naturally occurring bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus. These bacteria can cause serious illness that may require hospitalization. Among the distributors who received the recalled shellfish was a distributor in Rhode Island, American Mussel.

Affected harvest dates are 7/3/13 through 8/2/13. The original shipper numbers associated with this recall are listed below; however, not all product associated with these shippers is being recalled. The harvest location on the tag and shipping records and invoices must be reviewed in order to determine if the shellfish is affected by this recall.

The list of states and dealers receiving product is expected to grow as the product is shipped through the distribution chain. HEALTH is working with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and affected shippers to determine where product was shipped and to notify potential recipients.

This recall only affects oysters and clams harvested from Connecticut waters with the specific lot numbers listed below. It does not include other products shipped by American Mussel or other identified shippers. In addition, the recall does not include any oysters or clams from Rhode Island waters.

If recall shellfish are identified, place the shellfish under embargo, clearly identifying that they are not to be sold. Notify the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Aquaculture at 203-209-4023 if this product is identified so the department can include the shellfish in the recall tally.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, and chills. The illness is usually mild or moderate, although some cases may require hospitalization. Symptoms usually last two or three days. Children, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system can develop more serious symptoms. Anyone who has eaten raw or improperly cooked shellfish and has these symptoms should contact their healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

To date, seven cases of Vibrio have been reported in Rhode Island this year, with two of these cases consuming shellfish from the affected area.

Licensed CT Original Shippers (Harvesters) Associated with Recall: CT 69 SS Norm Bloom and Son CT 100 SS Hillard Bloom Shellfish CT 38 SS Michael Oravez CT 1247 SS A.C. Stabell *In state only CT 154 SS Tallmadge Land and Sea CT 136 SS Pramer Oyster

Affected Harvest dates: All shellfish harvested from the following listed areas between 07/03/13 and 08/02/13

Species: Eastern Oyster (a.k.a. Blue Point Oysters), all sizes, all quantities Hard clams, all sizes, all quantities

Affected Harvest Locations Please keep in mind that all of this information may not be present on each tag that you review, and the information may be in a different order than it appears below. For example, CT 79 Westport may read Westport Lot 79, CT or L-79 Westport, or simply L-79 with no town designation.

CT 20 Westport CT 21 Norwalk CT 67 Westport CT 71 Westport CT 73 Norwalk CT 79 Westport CT 105 Westport CT 109 Norwalk CT 123 Westport CT 171 Westport CT 173 Westport CT 207 Westport CT 253 Norwalk CT 254 Westport CT 255 Norwalk CT 268 Westport CT 270 Norwalk CT 595C Westport CT 595D Westport CT 599 Westport

This investigation is ongoing, and HEALTH will provide more information as it becomes available.

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