A norovirus-like outbreak at the Brave Horse Tavern in Seattle, Washington has sickened at least 43 people, according to an update by Seattle-King County Health Department. That restaurant is located at 310 Terry Avenue North in Seattle.
Meal dates for those sickened were November 23 and November 24, 2019. Prior food safety inspections found areas where the restaurant needs to improve. There are no laboratory results for people who got sick, because testing is not typically done on people who present with these symptoms. The symptoms suggest norovirus.
The people who are sick are suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, chills, and fever, which are typical symptoms for norovirus. Since November 27, 2019, 30 people from 5 meal parties said they got sick after consuming food and drinks from that facility. At least 11 employees who experienced similar symptoms consistent with norovirus date back to November 24, 2019. And at least two employees had two household members with these symptoms dating back to November 20, 2019.
Environmental Health investigator from the health department visited the restaurant on November 27, 2019, where they learned that multiple employees had been sick. The restaurant closed on November 27, 2019 and underwent a complete cleaning and disinfection. The restaurant reopened on November 29, 2019. Management also voluntarily conducted a cleaning and disinfection of Trattoria Cuoco, which is a neighboring restaurant under the same ownership. That facility shares freezer space with Brave Horse Tavern.
Investigators reviewed with management the requirement that ill staff are not allowed to work until they are free from symptoms for 48 hours. They also provided education about preventing the spread of norovirus.
To prevent this extremely contagious virus, people should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom, taking care of someone who is sick, changing diapers, and preparing and serving food for others. Norovirus is sudden onset, and most people recover without medical treatment. The virus spreads through person-to-person contact, through objects, and through contaminated food and drink.
