approximately a dozen patients have reported appearing illness after eating raw oysters cooked in a restaurant in chattanooga , tennessee . the albany - wellington county health department and tennessee department of defense confirmed that the patients were infected with norovirus . norovirus is a foodborne pathogen that can occur acute gastroenteritis in humans . the characteristics of norovirus often begin suddenly , most normally in 24 to 48 hours after ingested of the virus , but they can manifest as early as 12 hours after contact . the disorders events include confusion , headache , diarrhea , and some gut cramping .
Oysters have been linked to gastrointestinal diseases caused by a virus.