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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat raw or partially cooked oysters and clams (shellfish) with tags listing Oyster Bay Harbor, in Nassau County, N.Y., as the harvest area, following illnesses reported in several states caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria.

Symptoms of Vibrio parahaemolyticusIllness are typically characterized by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The symptoms begin from a few hours to as many as five days after consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, particularly shellfish.

Consumers possessing shellfish with tags listing Oyster Bay Harbor as the harvest area and a harvest date on or after June 1, 2012 should dispose of and not eat the shellfish. Consumers possessing shellfish for which the harvest area is not known should inquire of the retailer, restaurant or other facility about the source of shellfish. If the shellfish was already consumed and no one became ill, no action is needed. However, if you develop a diarrheal illness within a week after consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, see your health care provider and inform the provider about this exposure.

The New York state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) closed Oyster Bay Harbor, on July 13 to shellfish harvesting.

Records and information obtained by the New York state DEC indicate that the shellfish from this area of Oyster Bay Harbor in New York were distributed in several states, including, but not necessarily limited to, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

All shellfish harvesters, shippers, re-shippers, processors, restaurants, and retail food establishments are advised to check the identity tags on all containers of shellfish in their inventories. If the tag indicates the harvest area was Oyster Bay Harbor and a harvest date on or after June 1, 2012, the product should be disposed of and not be sold or served.

The map at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7765.html shows the area that has been closed to harvesting of shellfish. This closure will remain in effect until samples collected by the DEC indicate that shellfish from the affected area are no longer a threat to consumers.