The outbreak at the Wild Chef Japanese Steakhouse Bar & Grill was caused by norovirus. At least 300 people have been sickened in this outbreak.
Public health officials in Michigan are waiting for laboratory results to determine whether the cause was a sick employee, contaminated food, or another cause. A questionnaire was posted online for patrons of the restaurant to fill out. That was helpful to the data collection phase of the investigation.
The restaurant has been disinfected, including cleaning of equipment, floors, walls, and ceilings. Management has written new policies and procedures and retrained staff on the proper use of handwashing equipment, reporting illness, and food preparation. Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted through food and drink, and through contact with contaminated surfaces.
The symptoms of a norovirus infection include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, and low fever. The symptoms usually begin 12 to 36 hours after exposure and last for a few days. Most patients recover without medical intervention, but some people can become dehydrated and must be hospitalized. If you ate at the restaurant between March 27 and April 1, 2014 and have experienced these symptoms, please fill out the questionnaire to help in the investigation.
