Salmonella Oyster Outbreak Sickens 27, Closes Virginia River

Virginia has closed the Little Wicomico River to oyster and clam harvesting after raw oysters harvested there were linked to a multistate Salmonella outbreak. The CDC’s reported cluster includes 27 illnesses in 12 states, five hospitalizations and no deaths; the oysters were harvested from Sept. 18 through Oct. 8, 2026, and were recalled. Virginia officials reported that all eight oyster-meat samples collected from company cages tested positive for Salmonella, and sequencing detected the outbreak serotype in samples from all four leases tested. The closure will remain in effect until three consecutive rounds of product tests are negative, and consumers, retailers and restaurants are advised not to eat, sell or serve the recalled oysters.