Raw oysters linked to norovirus sickens 80 at Los Angeles event celebrating city's top restaurants

At this time, over 80 attendees that consumed the oysters have reported illness,” a spokesperson with the L.A. County Department of Public Health said in a statement.

Following the recall, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning on Dec. 18 to restaurants, retailers and consumers not to sell or eat the oysters in question due to potential norovirus contamination.

Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea and is commonly referred to as the 'stomach flu' or the 'stomach bug,' according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The outbreak is believed to have originated in British Columbia, Canada, as reported by the FDA, which warned 15 states regarding the contaminated oysters.

Read at ABC7 Los Angeles