The European alert reports a positive result for genetic material from norovirus genotypes GI and GII, although the permitted level is zero. The positive test came from frozen razor clams from Spain linked to a restaurant in Camp de Tarragona. Health services sampled two lots of frozen razor clams held by the establishment.
According to reporting published on 2 November, nine diners developed acute gastroenteritis after eating the razor clams in early September. The shellfish was reportedly insufficiently cooked. Spain reported the incident through the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) on 28 October 2026 under notification 2026.9600, classifying the risk as serious.
Catalan health authorities traced the operators involved in distribution, then said all affected stock found on the market had been recovered. The measure was to withdraw the implicated product. RASFF is the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, which national authorities use to share information about food and feed risks requiring rapid action.
Norovirus commonly causes outbreaks of foodborne illness. Infection can lead to gastroenteritis, with vomiting and diarrhoea among its symptoms. Dehydration is a particular danger for young children and older people.
Symptoms usually begin 12 to 48 hours after infection and last between one and three days in most cases. The virus can spread through direct contact with an infected person or a contaminated surface. Contaminated food is another route of transmission.
Norovirus infections occur worldwide throughout the year, with activity peaking in winter in temperate climates.
