FDA Warns Over Virginia Oysters Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

The Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert on Wednesday for Little Wicomico Company whole (shellstock) oysters, batch VA-1421-SP, harvested from the Little Wicomico River in Virginia between September 18 and October 8, 2026.

The oysters were linked to a Salmonella Telelkebir outbreak, according to the FDA alert summarized by Food Poisoning Bulletin. The case count listed was 28 cases across multiple states, in patients aged 1 to 86, with illness onset from May 29 to October 6, 2026. Five people were hospitalized.

The oysters were sold to restaurants and retailers in multiple states, and the river has been closed to harvesting. The oysters are past their best-by date and should no longer be for sale, but some restaurants or consumers may have frozen them.

The FDA's advice is to throw the affected oysters away or return them for a refund, and not to serve or eat them. Restaurants should check their stock and suppliers for the batch number.

Salmonella infection can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, and can be more serious for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Anyone who ate the oysters and feels ill should contact a health care provider.