Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 hrs ago
Norovirus outbreak in Tarragona linked to undercooked razor clams
At least nine people in Tarragona became ill after eating undercooked razor clams contaminated with norovirus.
The outbreak happened in September and prompted a serious food alert through Europe’s food-safety network.
Tests found norovirus in two frozen batches sampled at the restaurant linked to the cases, though officials do not know where the contamination occurred.
The clams arrived fresh from Andalusia and Portugal and were processed in the Ebro region before distribution.
Authorities say all related product has been recovered from the market after checks on the businesses involved.
Norovirus can cause sudden vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain, usually for one to three days, but dehydration can be a risk for young children, older people and those with weakened immune systems.
Thorough cooking, proper refrigeration and good kitchen hygiene help prevent infection, and the authorities say their control actions are complete.
At least nine people in Tarragona developed acute gastroenteritis after eating undercooked razor clams contaminated with norovirus at a restaurant.
Tests on two batches of frozen razor clams at the restaurant were positive for norovirus.
Catalonia’s public health authorities activated a serious food alert through the European RASFF network and said all implicated product had been recovered from the market.
The outbreak happened in September, and the alert was published on the RASFF platform later.
Authorities said the clams arrived fresh from Andalucía and Portugal and were processed in the Terres de l’Ebre, but the point of contamination is unknown.
- Who
- At least nine people in Tarragona were affected. Catalonia’s public health authorities investigated the outbreak.
- What
- A norovirus outbreak of acute gastroenteritis was linked to undercooked razor clams served at a restaurant.
- When
- The outbreak occurred in September; the alert was published later.
- Where
- Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Why
- The affected people ate razor clams contaminated with norovirus that had not been cooked sufficiently.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The outbreak occurred in Tarragona after people ate undercooked razor clams at a restaurant.
Public health officials sampled two batches of frozen razor clams at the restaurant, and tests found norovirus.
Catalonia’s authorities said checks on the operators had been completed and all related product had been recovered from the market.
El País reported that the alert had been published on the RASFF platform.
- Affected people
- At least 9
- Suspected food
- Undercooked razor clams
- Test results
- 2 frozen batches tested positive for norovirus
- Product origins
- Andalucía and Portugal
- Processing location
- Terres de l’Ebre, Catalonia
What people are saying
As of today, all control actions have been carried out on the operators involved in marketing the razor clams and all the product has been recovered from the market.
Cooking food well is the best prevention.