TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 疾管署) reported a significant increase in diarrhea cases and clusters on Tuesday (Sept. 10). This year, 47 norovirus outbreaks linked to grilled oysters were recorded, reaching a 5-year high.
CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hung-wei (郭宏偉) stated that the cases were primarily caused by the GII.17 strain and noted that from Sept. 1 to 7, diarrhea outpatient and emergency visits totaled 130,472, a slight 1.5% decrease from the previous week.
The CDC estimates that diarrhea-related visits could reach 150,000 after the Mid-Autumn Festival. They advised caution when grilling seafood, stressing that shellfish should be cooked for an additional 3 to 5 minutes after opening to prevent norovirus infection.
Guo highlighted that oysters and other shellfish, which filter seawater for feeding, can contain virus concentrations tens to thousands of times higher than the surrounding water. Inadequate cooking can lead to infections.
Guo recommended avoiding raw consumption and ensuring the internal temperature of shellfish exceeds 66 degrees Celsius after opening. He also emphasized the importance of handwashing after using the restroom and before handling food to prevent contamination.
