
A shellfish shakedown is sweeping through San Diego County after 33 people fell ill, contracting norovirus likely linked to frozen raw oysters imported from a company in South Korea, health officials said.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is sounding the alarm, telling distributors and retailers to halt sales and service of frozen raw oysters from JBR, Inc., located in Tongyeongsi, Republic of Korea; these shellfish are suspected culprits behind a string of gastroenteritis cases among eaters in late March and April. These specific oysters arrived bearing the label “Amazing Sea Brand.” They have been traced back to being harvested on several dates—November 26, 2023, January 4, and February 15—and San Diego County public health officials, alongside the CDPH’s investigation, pointed to these as the likely source of the virus transmission, according to a statement obtained by the California Department of Public Health.
