Drayton Harbor is under an emergency shellfish recall and harvest closure following reports of several people falling ill from raw oysters they ate Feb. 13-23, Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) wrote in a March 5 announcement.
WCHCS has closed both recreational and commercial harvesting of clams, oysters and mussels in Drayton Harbor. The raw shellfish in question was harvested Feb. 13-20, and the county health department has issued a recall of oysters and clams sold at Drayton Harbor Oyster Company between Feb. 13-23 and at the Bellingham Dockside Market on Feb. 21.
Both commercial and recreational harvesting is expected to reopen March 24, according to WCHCS. Drayton Harbor Oyster Company’s restaurant in downtown Blaine remains open and has stopped selling any raw or cooked shellfish sourced from Drayton Harbor. Potentially impacted oysters have also been discontinued from the retail store.
The people who became sick exhibited Norovirus-like symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and fatigue, about one to two days after eating raw shellfish.
Drayton Harbor is among other areas in Washington and B.C. that are experiencing illness outbreaks from raw shellfish consumption, according to WCHCS.
County health authorities recommend those who purchased raw oysters impacted by the recall to dispose of them. Anyone who believes they may have become sick from consuming shellfish can report their illness on the WCHCS website at bit.ly/40dRW3i.
