B.C. raw oyster ban lifted by Vancouver Coastal Health

Oyster growers in B.C. are back in business after Vancouver Coastal Health lifted the ban on serving raw oysters that's been in place since August.

All restaurants under VCH's jurisdiction have been required to cook any oysters served up to customers after an outbreak of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection.

• B.C. raw oyster ban forces local producer to lay off staff
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"The order is being lifted because water temperature measurements and historical disease trends all indicate that risk of infection with Vibrio parahaemolyticus has returned to baseline," read a statement from VCH Thursday.

Symptoms of the infection include diarrhea, cramps, vomiting and fever that can last up to a week.

The news that the ban has been lifted will be welcomed by local growers who were forced to lay off staff as a result.