Oyster alert issued after dozens get sick in BC

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control has issued a warning about a spike in gastrointestinal illness associated with eating oysters.

Since early December, over 70 cases of oyster-related illness have been reported to BC health authorities.

The BCCDC says the outbreak is ongoing so more cases are expected.

People who have been sickened reported eating raw or light-cooked oysters in restaurants or prepared at home.

Epidemiologist Doctor Eleni Galanis says testing in several cases has confirmed the presence of norovirus, and they suspect norovirus in the other cases.

She says to kill the bug, oysters must be cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 90°C for 90 seconds.

Originally posted on CKNW.com.