Health authorities in Virginia have identified the same strain of Salmonella in oyster samples from the Little Wicomico Oyster Company that is causing a current outbreak of infections in the United States.
On Friday, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced that tests on oysters collected on October 13 from the company's harvesting areas tested positive for Salmonella.
Genetic sequencing analysis revealed the presence of the Salmonella Telelkebir strain in some samples, which matches the strain found in patients affected by the outbreak.
This discovery adds further evidence linking oysters from the Little Wicomico River in Virginia to the infections being investigated by U.S. health officials.
Tracing the Source of Contamination
Initially, the investigation relied heavily on the consumption history of those infected and the traceability of the product.
Laboratory tests also identified two other Salmonella variants—Salmonella Newport and Salmonella Hartford—in the examined samples.
A second set of tests conducted on oysters collected on October 21 found Salmonella positive samples in three out of four cultivation plots of Little Wicomico Oyster Company. The fourth plot's samples tested negative.
The VDH clarified that genetic sequencing results from the second batch of positive samples are still pending, so it remains uncertain if they contain the same Telelkebir strain identified earlier.
FDA and CDC Warnings
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also updated its alert on Friday, reporting an additional case of infection since its October 19 notice, increasing the number of patients under investigation from 27 to 28.
According to the Virginia Department of Health, the 28 cases involve individuals from 13 states with infections genetically linked to Salmonella Telelkebir.
Among them, 11 individuals reported consuming raw oysters, and traceability information is available for seven cases.
Authorities suggest that raw oysters from the Little Wicomico River area are a likely source of infections within this group. However, it is not confirmed that all 28 individuals fell ill from the recalled oysters, as the investigation is ongoing.
Consumer Safety Measures
The health warning specifically targets whole shell oysters from Little Wicomico Oyster Company, code VA-1421-SP, harvested between September 18 and October 8, 2026, in the Little Wicomico River and Little Wicomico River Lower zones in Virginia.
Florida is among the destinations where the affected products were shipped, along with other states and the District of Columbia.
The FDA notes that the recalled oysters have exceeded their shelf life and should no longer be available for sale. Nevertheless, the warning remains crucial for consumers, restaurants, and establishments that may have frozen portions of the product.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explicitly warns that anyone who has frozen oyster meat should check if it matches the recall. If it does, they should discard or return it, as freezing does not eliminate the bacteria. Cooking the recalled oysters is not recommended either.
Restaurants and retailers who still possess these products should neither sell nor serve them. Establishments must check the labels, harvest dates, producer codes, and origin documentation to identify the oysters. Consumers unsure about the origin of a stored product should consult the store or distributor where it was purchased.
The FDA also reminds that food contaminated with Salmonella may appear, smell, and taste normal. Consumers and establishments must clean and sanitize containers, utensils, and surfaces that came into contact with the affected oysters to prevent spreading bacteria to other foods.
Common symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The CDC advises seeking medical attention for severe symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, high fever, persistent vomiting, or signs of dehydration.
The Little Wicomico Oyster Company voluntarily recalled the oysters on October 9 and informed its customers. On the same day, Virginia authorities imposed a temporary closure of the affected harvesting area. Federal warnings from the FDA and CDC were issued on October 19.
Earlier reports highlighted the health alert concerning oysters distributed in Florida as federal authorities investigated 27 genetically related infections.
FAQs on the Salmonella Outbreak and Oyster Recall
What strain of Salmonella was found in the oysters?
The strain identified in the oysters is Salmonella Telelkebir, which matches the strain found in patients affected by the outbreak.
What should consumers do if they have frozen oysters?
Consumers should check if the frozen oyster meat matches the recalled product. If it does, they should discard or return it, as freezing does not eliminate the bacteria.
Are there any symptoms to watch for with salmonellosis?
Common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Severe symptoms like bloody diarrhea, high fever, and persistent vomiting warrant medical attention.
How are authorities ensuring the safety of oysters?
Authorities have issued a recall for the affected oysters and have placed a temporary closure on the harvesting area. They have also conducted genetic sequencing to trace the contamination source.