NORWALK, WESTPORT, DARIEN SHELLFISH BED CLOSURES
DUE TO FOODBORNE ILLNESS
Recall Underway, Recreational Shellfishing Closed
NORWALK, Connecticut (August 5, 2013) – All recreational shellfishing areas in Norwalk, Westport, and Darien and multiple commercial shellfish beds in Norwalk and Westport are closed until further notice. The closures are due to illnesses caused by the bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The Norwalk Health Department is working with state officials, commercial shellfishers, restaurants, and the public to prevent illness from this bacterium.
Commercial shellfishers have been notified and are working on a recall of oysters and clams harvested from these areas between July 3, 2013 and August 2, 2013. To prevent further illness, recreational shellfishing should stop, and any shellfish harvested from these areas should be destroyed immediately.
There have been three confirmed cases of illness from Vibrio parahaemolyticus associated with this recall. According to state officials, the symptoms of foodborne Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection include watery diarrhea, often with abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Symptoms typically occur within 24 hours of consumption of the contaminated shellfish and can last about up to 7 days. Immune compromised people and those with certain medical conditions including liver disease are at greatest for foodborne disease. If you are experiencing these symptoms and believe they may be related to contaminated shellfish, contact your doctor.