An initial recall in Oregon and Washington has been extended to the states of Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas and Utah.

Oregon health officials report that at least 16 individuals have been stricken with gastroenteritis after eating oysters processed by the company issuing the recall, with three thus far confirmed as having Norovirus infections.

The Norovirus bacteria, which originates in sewage-contaminated waters and rapidly spreads through products like seafood, causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, and in extreme cases can be fatal.

Our thanks, Oregon health officials for alerting the public in an effort to protect from such illness. May we all turn quickly to plant-based foods for a diet that saves lives and keeps us disease-free.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9E794J02.htm
http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/02/oregon_oyster_farms_recalls_oy.html
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6887514.html
http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2010/03/oregon_health_officials_confir.html
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90782/90880/6909764.html