Norovirus triggers second shellfish closure in B.C. waters

A secondshellfish harvesting area in the waters offVancouver Island has been closed after norovirus was detected.

A notice has beenissued byFisheries and Oceans Canadafor the Subtle Islands, locatedeast of Campbell River, B.C., after tests by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency foundnorovirus in oysters from the area.

Part ofClayoqoutSoundon the west coast of Vancouver Island was also closedto shellfish harvesting earlier this month after more than 100 people got sick from eating raw oysters inTofino.

There are several waysnoroviruscan contaminate oysters at a harvest site, including from a worker who may be carrying the virus or wastedischarged from a passing ship, saidElysha Gordon, aResource Management Biologist with DFO.

"The oysters will filter feed the norovirus and then it is contained in the animal itself," she said.

Gordon says it's not clear yet where the norovirus came from in either area that has been closed to shellfish harvesting.

"It's an ongoing investigation with many different federal and provincial agencies that are involved. Hopefully we will get to the bottom of the source," she said.

The secondclosure alsocomes as Island Health investigates more cases of people who got sick after eating raw oysters.

The health authority issued a notice last week warning people to fully cook oysters after it received about 20 more reports of noro-like symptoms from people who consumed raw oysters in several different island communities.