Almost 200 passengers on Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas cruise ship have been sickened with what officials believe is norovirus, according to the line and news reports. That ship can carry almost 6,000 people. The liner left Singapore on November 23, 2017. The outbreak began soon after. Cruise ships, just like other places where many gather in a relatively confined space, are notorious for norovirus outbreaks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posts outbreak updates for international cruise ships that sail from a foreign port to a U.S. port. The ships which participate in the Vessel Sanitation Program report the number of gastrointestinal illnesses, including zero, which have been evaluated by medical staff at least 24 hours before the ship arrives at … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas Sickens Almost 200 Passengers
Ohio Norovirus Outbreak Linked to Mama C’s Donuts in Maumee
A norovirus outbreak that has sickened to more than 300 people has been linked to food from Mama C's Donuts and Coffee in Maumee, Ohio, according to the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department. During a news conference, officials also said that 19 people have been sickened through person-to-person contact. The restaurant is cooperating with the investigation, according to health officials. The facility could reopen this afternoon, after thorough cleaning. All of those sickened, except those sickened with secondary infections, had eaten food from the restaurant between Augusts 4 and August 8, 2017. Health Commissioner Eric Zgodzinski said, "the issue comes back to when the product stopped being sold and consumed. We're expecting that to be probably Tuesday. I wouldn't think we … [Read more...]
Outbreak at Chipotle in Sterling, VA is Norovirus
The Loudoun County Health Department has announced that the outbreak at the Chipotle Mexican Grill at 21031 Tripleseven Road in Sterling, Virginia is most likely caused by norovirus. The notice states that two ill patrons have tested positive for the same strain of norovirus. Dr. David Goodfriend, director of the Health Department said, "Based on symptoms reported and these preliminary laboratory results, the cause of the outbreak is believed to be norovirus, though the specific source of the norovirus has not yet been identified. The Health Department is not aware of any customers becoming ill since the reopening of the facility last Wednesday." Some of the people who are sick in this outbreak are Chipotle employees. But the source of norovirus is notoriously difficult to track … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak at Special Kids Day in Wisconsin
A norovirus outbreak that sickened at least 60 people last month at the Special Kids Day event at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds has been linked to contaminated food served there. Jennifer Miller, spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said, "all evidence in the investigation suggests that the primary mode of transmission of norovirus was through contaminated food. However, the source has not been determined and remains under investigation." Lab testing found a "commonality" in stool samples from ill persons that showed the outbreak was caused by food. Norovirus is spread through person-to-person contact, by touching contaminated surfaces, and by eating contaminated food and drink. About 738 disabled students from 26 school districts were at the … [Read more...]
Oysters Recalled in Washington After Norovirus Outbreak
The Washington State Department of Health is recalling oysters and closing harvest areas after a norovirus outbreak. Over the past few weeks reports of illness in people who have eaten raw oysters from several areas in the state have been received. Small harvest closures and recalls have been ordered over the past few weeks. The largest closed area is in Hammersley Inlet in Mason County. In that area, a recall has been issued for any shellfish harvested there since March 15, 2017. The three-mile stretch of commercial shellfish growing beds is harvested by 31 shellfish companies and is shipped to many areas around the word. The Department of Health is working with shellfish growers, officials in other states, and local health department to trace all of the product and recall it to … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak in Washington Associated with Raw Oysters
Public health officials in Seattle and King County are investigating multiple reports of a norovirus-like illness in people who ate raw oysters. Since January, officials have received reports that as many as 39 people were sickened after eating that shellfish. Illnesses have been reported during the time period ranging from January 10 through March 20, 2017. Public health has reported the illnesses to the Washington State Department of Health Shellfish Program, which tracks the reports and harvest locations of the oysters implicated in this outbreak. The oysters were all harvested from different growing areas and bays in Washington state with the exception of four meals. Those four meals, which account for 22 of the illnesses, were made of oysters harvested from a small bay in the … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak in Canada Linked to Raw and Undercooked Oysters
The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating an outbreak of gastrointestinal illnesses linked to raw and undercooked oysters. The illnesses have occurred in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. Testing of several cases, but not all, has confirmed norovirus. Officials think that norovirus is the cause of illness in the untested cases. The outbreak notice states "the risk to Canadians is low." This type of illness can be avoided if oysters are cooked to an internal temperature of 90°C/194°F for a minimum of 90 seconds, and proper hand washing and food safety practices are followed. As of February 7, 2017, 202 clinical cases of illness linked to oysters have been reported in three provinces. The case count per province is: British Columbia (143), Alberta (35), and Ontario … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak in Washington Associated with Raw Oysters
King County Public Health is investigation a cluster of "norovirus-like" illnesses associated with eating raw oysters in their area. That virus is found in the stool and vomit of infected people. The virus is very contagious and is spread through contamianted food and person-to-person contact. Consuming raw and undercooked shellfish, especially oysters, increases your chances of getting sick. On January 19, 2017, Public Health was notified about 4 cases of norovirus-like illness from the same party who eat raw oysters at Taylor Shellfish, located at 124 Republican Street in Seattle on January 4, 2017. The patients got sick about 24 hours after eating the oysters, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, and muscle aches. Environmental Health … [Read more...]
Wellfleet Shellfish Beds Closed After Norovirus Outbreak
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries have announced that the shellfish beds in the town of Wellfleet on Cape Cod have been closed because of a large norovirus outbreak believed linked to the consumption of shellfish in that area. At least 75 suspect cases of norovirus were reported over a two day time period last week, mostly associated with eating raw shellfish at weddings and restaurants in the Outer Cape Cod area. The shellfish growing areas that are affected are Wellfleet Harbor, Herring River, Wellfleet Inner Harbor, and Loagy Bay. You can see maps of the closed regions at the Mass.gov web site. The symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, fever, chills, and muscle aches. This … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak Sickens Carleton College Students
A norovirus outbreak has sickened at least 22 Carleton students, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Public health officials think that the students were sickened after they ate at Hogan Brothers' Acoustic Cafe in Northfield, Minnesota. Hogan Brothers' is a popular restaurant in town that serves custom made sandwiches. The restaurant is temporarily closed to clean and investigate what happened. The college has set up a form to report any stomach illness among students and staff. The college itself is reporting that about 20 to 25 students are ill with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The news release on Carleton's website states that "it is very unlikely the illness is related to food served in any of the Carleton dining facilities." The form is to help … [Read more...]
