approximately a twenty men have reported becoming sick after eating raw oysters consumed in a restaurant in mobile , tennessee . the hamilton - hamilton county health agency and tennessee departments of health confirmed that the people were covered with norovirus . norovirus is a foodborne pathogen that can cause acute gastroenteritis in humans . the symptoms of norovirus illness begin suddenly , most often in 24 to 48 hours after toxins of the virus , but they can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure . the gastrointestinal events include fever , symptoms , diarrhea , and some abdominal cramping .
Oysters have been linked to gastrointestinal diseases caused by a virus.