Raw oysters made 28 people sick in 13 US states, CDC confirms
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that raw oysters from a river in Virginia made people sick, after an outbreak grew to 28 cases across 13 states. Five people have been taken to hospital. No deaths have been reported.
The oysters were harvested by the Little Wicomico Oyster Company from the Little Wicomico River in Virginia. Health officials linked them to Salmonella Telelkebir, a type of bacteria that causes food poisoning. People fell ill between 29 May and 6 October 2026.
In its update on Friday 30 October, the CDC dropped the careful wording it had used before. It had earlier said the oysters “may be” making people sick. It now says they “made people sick in this outbreak”. Lab tests back that up: oysters taken from the river carried the same strain of Salmonella found in patients. Of 14 people interviewed, 11 said they had eaten raw oysters in the week before they fell ill.
The recalled oysters were harvested between 18 September and 8 October. The CDC says they should now be past their shelf life, and nothing is being harvested from the river at present. Anyone who froze the oysters should not eat them, as freezing does not kill Salmonella.
Why it matters
Raw oysters carry a higher risk than cooked shellfish, because cooking kills the bacteria and eating them raw does not. The CDC also warns that the true number of cases is likely higher, as many people recover without medical care and are never tested for Salmonella.
What happens next
The investigation continues, and health officials are still checking other Salmonella cases to see if they are part of the same outbreak. The river stays closed until testing comes back clear. Anyone who ate raw oysters from the company and then fell ill should see a doctor.
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks/oysters-10-26/locations.html (CDC, 30 October 2026)
- https://foodpoisoningbulletin.com/2026/wicomico-river-raw-oysters-salmonella-outbreak-case-count-grows/ (Food Poisoning Bulletin, 31 October 2026)
- https://www.marlerblog.com/case-news/cdc-drops-the-may-be-little-wicomico-river-oysters-made-people-sick-now-28-ill-in-13-states-an-october-6-illness-inside-the-recall-window-and-the-pennsylvania/ (Marler Blog, 30 October 2026)
