Multistate Outbreak of Viral Gastroenteritis Associated With Consumption of Oysters—Apalachicola Bay, Florida, December 1994-January 1995

On January 3, 1995, the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) was notified of an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis associated with eating oysters. The subsequent investigation by HRS has identified 34 separate clusters of cases, many of which were associated with oysters harvested during December 29-31 from 13 Mile Area and Cat Point in Apalachicola Bay. Oysters were shipped to other states, but additional clusters of illness associated with these oysters have been reported only in Georgia. Most of these oysters were served steamed or roasted. This report summarizes the preliminary findings of the ongoing investigation of this outbreak.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)