Health alert: CDC and FDA warn of Salmonella outbreak in Virginia oysters sold in New York

Washington — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are warning consumers not to eat recalled oysters from the Little Wicomico Oyster Company, linked to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 27 people in 12 states, with five hospitalized and no deaths reported, the federal agencies said.

The voluntary recall, issued Oct. 9, covers whole in-shell oysters harvested between Sept. 18 and Oct. 8, 2026 from the Little Wicomico River growing areas in Virginia. The FDA said the oysters reached restaurants and retailers in 15 states and the District of Columbia — including New York — and may have been distributed further. Pennsylvania has the most illnesses with eight, followed by New York with four and Virginia with three.

The Virginia Department of Health issued an emergency condemnation order temporarily closing the affected harvest area through Nov. 7. The company has stopped harvesting from the area and is cooperating with investigators. Oysters from other Virginia growing areas are not included in the recall, but the FDA cautioned that contaminated food can look, smell and taste normal.

The CDC advises throwing away the affected oysters or returning them to the place of purchase, and washing anything that touched them with hot, soapy water. Restaurants and retailers should stop serving or selling them and sanitize equipment and surfaces. Salmonella commonly causes diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps six hours to six days after exposure; most people recover within four to seven days without treatment, but children under 5, adults 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of severe illness.

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Source: CDC