Several people fall ill after eating oysters; France prohibits the harvesting, gathering, and selling of shellfish in the southwest bay

Several people in France fell sick after eating oysters over Christmas, and authorities said reports suggested they were linked to the oysters. French authorities have temporarily banned shellfish harvesting in a southwestern bay after detecting norovirus in oysters. , harvest and sale. ​ Norovirus is spread through contaminated food or surfaces and can cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea. Authorities in France's southwest region said that as of December 27, "lots of shellfish caught or harvested in these areas must be withdrawn from the market" ." ​ They added: "Persons in possession of oysters from these areas are asked not to consume them and to return them to the point of sale." ​ Authorities said the oysters have been linked to several cases of foodborne illness and the investigation is ongoing. But direct analysis of the oysters revealed the presence of norovirus. No cases of serious illness have been reported to date, authorities added. ​ For oyster producers, the ...