Shellfish are commonly associated with viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in human consumers. However, several attempts to depurate contaminated bivalve mollusks have been halted by increased persistence of viruses in mollusks’ tissues, mainly in digestive tract. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were applied to evaluate the localization of simian rotavirus SA11 strain in experimentally contaminated Crassostrea gigas oysters. Highest concentrations of SA11 persisted in digestive tract along 12-h experiment, whereas gills, mantle, labial palps and hemolymph presented fewer SA11. SA11 was found in close association with mucus filling oyster stomach. It can account for increased virus accumulation in digestive tract. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17525/vrr.v15i2.45