Epidemic of gastroenteritis caused by oysters contaminated with small round structured viruses.

A large outbreak of viral gastroenteritis occurred in which oysters eaten raw were the vehicle of infection. Laboratory findings indicated that a small round structured virus was the infecting agent. Adults of all ages were equally susceptible to infection with the virus. Investigation cast doubt on the efficacy of depuration as a method for rendering oysters free of virus, and hence the public should be warned of the hazard of eating raw shellfish.