The Yosemite outbreak is norovirus, according to the National Park System. The announcement states that about 170 people were sickened with gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea after visiting the park. Those affected include park visitor and employees. Most of those sickened spent time in Yosemite Valley before getting sick. There are two confirmed cases of norovirus among those sickened as of January 16, 2020. Most of the reported case symptoms are consistent with a norovirus infection. Still, Yosemite National Park officials and medical professionals with the National Park Service Office of Public Health are continuing to investigate the outbreak and are still conducting interviews with patients. Officials do not know the exact cause of the outbreak. Most … [Read more...]
Norovirus Was a Contributing Cause of New Hampshire Death at Puritan Backroom
The New Hampshire Office of the Chief Examiner (OCME) has determined that norovirus was a contributing cause of death in a person who lived in Hillsborough county in that state. The unnamed person attended an event at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester, New Hampshire on November 24, 2019. The report was completed after an autopsy was conducted. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services will not release any more information about the deceased person because of federal and state privacy laws, according to the OCME notice. Eighteen people were allegedly sickened with norovirus after eating at the restaurants' function hall the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The public was not informed about this outbreak at the time. Norovirus is a contagious virus that causes … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak at La Hacienda Restaurant in Madison, WI
About 25 people have been sickened in a norovirus outbreak at La Hacienda restaurant at 515 South Park Street in Madison, Wisconsin, according to news reports. The restaurant was closed on Thursday, May 9, 2019 and remained closed over the weekend as investigators gathered information about the illnesses. The restaurant reopened yesterday, May 14, 2019, after it was cleaned and the investigation was closed. There is no information about the conditions of those sickened or whether or not anyone was hospitalized in this outbreak. Norovirus is very contagious, and can spread through contaminated food and drink, as well as person-to-person contact and contact with contaminated surfaces. The virus causes vomiting and diarrhea with a quick onset. Most people recover within a day or two … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak Associated with Dave and Buster’s in Auburn, WA
A norovirus outbreak associated with Dave and Buster's restaurant at 1101 Outlet Collection Way SW, Suite 1057, in Auburn, Washington has sickened at least 12 people, according to King County Public Health. Since April 5, 2019, five people from a single party reported illnesses after eating at that facility on March 31, 2019. Since then, at least 7 employees of that restaurant have been reported ill with the same symptoms. At least one employee worked while ill with norovirus-like symptoms, according to public health officials. Officials have not discovered how norovirus spread throughout the restaurant. The virus is extremely contagious, and can spread through contaminated food and beverages, through contact with surfaces, and person-to-person. Officials from Environmental … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreaks at California Taco and Tijuana Taco in Washington
Two norovirus outbreaks have been reported at two taco establishments in the the Tacoma area of Washington state, according to Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. There is apparently no link between the two outbreaks. California Tacos, at 14818 Union Avenue SW in Lakewood was closed by the health department on February 26, 2019 for at least 24 hours. Three people in the same group but from separate households reported norovirus symptoms after they ate at tat restaurant. At least two restaurant employees were sick before this outbreak occurred. The outbreak case count was updated on February 27, 2019, with reports of 11 people from three households being sick. Three of the households ate at the restaurant on Sunday, February 24, 2019, and one on Thursday, February 21, 2019. … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak at Boutwells Landing in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota
A norovirus outbreak has sickened dozens of residents at Boutwells Landing in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota. That is a senior living facility. The first illnesses were reported on January 4, 2019. About 10% of the 600 residents and 15% of employees have been sickened, Campus Administrator Wendy Kingbay told the Minneapolis StarTribune. The outbreak has occurred at senior apartments, townhouses, and assisted living apartments. Norovirus is a very contagious pathogen that causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms appear quickly, usually within a few hours, after a person is infected. Most people are sick for a few days and most recover without a doctor's care. People in high risk groups, including the elderly, may have a more serious illness and may need to be hospitalized. … [Read more...]
Tomales Bay Oyster Norovirus Outbreak Sickens 44 in California
The California Department of Public Health has closed Tomales Bay to oyster harvesting because a norovirus outbreak that has sickened at least 44 people is associated with oysters from that area. The CDPH posted a recall and listed 40 restaurants that may have sold the Hog Island oysters. The restaurants are located in San Francisco, Sonoma, Petaluma, Bolinas, Sacramento, Sebastopol, Napa, and Santa Rosa. The closure was issued on January 3, 2019, according to Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County's public health officer. The state of California has recalled Tomales Bay oysters that were served in 34 restaurants by Hog Island Oyster Company. The illnesses happened between December 29, 2018 and January 5, 2019. The illnesses were in San Francisco. Public health officials interviewed … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean Norovirus Outbreak Sickens 475 Passengers
Norovirus outbreaks increase during the winter months because more people are together indoors. But some venues, such as nursing homes, schools, and cruise ships, can be struck by this virus at any time. A norovirus outbreak on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship has sickened 475 passengers. The cruise was cut short. It was supposed to be a seven day cruise, leaving Port Canaveral in Florida on January 6, 2019. Apparently, passengers started getting sick after eating a cruise ship-sponsored lunch buffet in Haiti, which was the first stop. The ship is heading back to port. The company plans to clean and sanitize the vessel before its next trip. Norovirus is a contagious virus that causes symptoms of vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Some people may experience fever, … [Read more...]
FDA Tells Consumers to Avoid Raw Oysters From Canada for Potential Norovirus
Consumers are advised to avoid eating raw oysters from British Columbia. The FDA posted a notice stating that they and the CDC, along with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and state partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of norovirus illnesses that are linked to oysters. There is no word yet on how many people may have been sickened in this outbreak, but California has announced that there are at least 100 people sick in that state. The FDA has confirmed that potentially contaminated raw oysters that were harvested in the south and central parts of Baynes Sound in British Columbia were distributed to Alaska, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Washington state. Other states may have also received these oysters either … [Read more...]
About 100 Norovirus Cases in California From Raw British Columbia Oysters
About 100 people are sick in a norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters from south and central Baynes Sound in British Columbia, Canada as of April 27, 2018. The California Department of Pubic Health (CDPH) is warning consumers to avoid that shellfish. Those sickened ate the oysters at restaurants and purchased them at retailers throughout the state. There are ill persons in California and in Canada. Canada has reported 172 sick in this outbreak. Laboratory testing has confirmed these illnesses. The number of new patients decreased this week, but the investigation is ongoing. Four oysters farms in the south and central Baynes Sound area of British Columbia are linked to the outbreak. Those farms were closed between March 23 and April 13, 2018, and remain closed at this time. All … [Read more...]
