More warnings about Oysters and Norovirus

The Washington State Department of Health has issued an emergency closure for recreational and commercial harvest of clams, oysters and mussels in Drayton Harbor. This closure is prompted by several illnesses linked to the consumption of raw oysters harvested on February 13 and February 20, 2026. 

Commercial and recreational harvesting is anticipated to reopen on March 24. Drayton Harbor Oyster Company restaurant will remain open, and will not serve any raw or cooked product from this growing area during this closure.

“We appreciate the strong cooperation from Drayton Harbor Oyster Company throughout this process,” said Tom Kunesh, Food Safety Program Supervisor. “The company has been proactive in discontinuing the sale of potentially impacted oysters from their restaurant and retail store.”

The recent illnesses were identified in people who ate raw oysters harvested in Drayton Harbor. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fatigue – usually within 1-2 days after consuming raw shellfish. Symptoms are consistent with a Norovirus-like illness.

DOH has issued a recall for oysters and clams harvested between Feb. 13 and Feb. 23 from Drayton Harbor. Shellfish affected by this recall were sold at:

• Drayton Harbor Oyster Company in Blaine between Feb. 13 and Feb. 23
• Bellingham Dockside Market on Saturday, Feb. 21 only

If you purchased raw medium oysters at these locations, we recommend disposing of them. More information on the recall can be found on the DOH Recall webpage.

Consuming raw shellfish greatly increases the risk of illness. Norovirus and some bacterial pathogens may be present in raw shellfish. We recommend cooking all molluscan shellfish to 145°F before eating. Similar outbreaks have been reported recently from growing areas in Puget Sound and British Columbia.

If you think you may have gotten sick from consuming shellfish, you can report suspected foodborne illness through our online form.

Shellfish harvesters are advised to “Know Before You Dig.” Always check for biotoxin and pollution closures on the DOH Shellfish Closures Mapor call the DOH Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 before harvesting shellfish anywhere in Washington State.

Republished with permission from Bill Marler and Marler Clark. Copyright (c) Marler Clark LLP, PS. All rights reserved.