Two outbreaks this week are a good example of why norovirus is the leading cause of food poisoning outbreaks in the U.S. One was at a Ground Round restaurant in Minnesota, the other was at an elementary school in Indiana. Norovirus is highly contagious virus that affects about 20 million Americans each year. The amount of virus that fits on the head of pin, as few as 18 particles, is enough to make 1,000 people sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has compiled a norovirus fact sheet with the following information. Although it is sometimes called "the cruise ship virus," only about 1 percent of norovirus outbreaks take place on cruise ships. Most, about 65 percent, happen at restaurants and originate from an infected food worker. Symptoms … [Read more...]
(Not-So) Fun Facts About Norovirus, The Leading Source of Food Poisoning Outbreaks in America
Norovirus Outbreak at Elementary School in Indiana
A norovirus outbreak at an elementary school in Indiana has sickened at least 129 students, which is about 25% of the student body. At first officials thought contaminated food was the source of the illness, but Huffington Post reported that 39% of the students who were sickened did not eat or drink anything provided by the school the day before. The incubation period for norovirus is usually 12 to 24 hours, up to 48 hours. Norovirus is a very contagious virus that spreads through food, drink, contaminated objects, and person to person contact. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, abdominal and stomach cramps, and headaches. The school was deep cleaned according to instructions from the Indiana Department of Health. Anyone can contract the virus, but most people recover within … [Read more...]
Ground Round Restaurants in MN Closed for Norovirus Outbreak
A Ground Round restaurant in Winona County, Minnesota has closed after a "community norovirus outbreak" has sickened at least 30 people. The Minnesota Health Department said that they learned of the outbreak on September 30, 2014, but the illnesses may have started before that date. The outbreak was apparently confined to those people who ate at the Ground Round restaurant in Winona. But the outbreak is not officially linked to a single source, location, or event and will likely increase. The restaurant voluntarily closed so they could deep clean. There is no word on whether any employees were ill or if others in the community are sick. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily during the cold months, as more people spend time together indoors. Norovirus symptoms … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak at Royal Hawaiian Hotel
A norovirus outbreak has occurred at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki, according to KITV 4. The outbreak was confirmed by the Hawaii Department. Hawaii state epidemiologist, Dr. Sarah Park, said in an interview that it wasn't necessarily contaminated food that caused the outbreak, but since several employees were also sick, surfaces in the kitchen were most likely contaminated. More than 100 people, including guests and employees, have been ill. The hotel has cleaned and sanitized restrooms, the kitchen, guest rooms, and public areas. There have not been any reports of illness since last Monday. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that is spread through contaminated food and drink, contaminated surfaces, and person-to-person contact. It causes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak in Hartford County MD
Health officials in Hartford County, MD have determined that a food poisoning outbreak in mid-March was caused by norovirus. The county health department received dozens of reports of illness with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and nausea. Some of those who became ill after eating at a restaurant submitted stool samples for lab testing. Results from those tests did not reveal a bacterial source for the infection such as Salmonella, E.coli or Campylobacter, a health department spokesman said. Highly contagious norovirus accounts for about half of all food poisoning outbreaks. Often a sick food handler or is involved, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People who have been sick with norovirus can transmit the virus for up to three days after symptoms … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak at Chuck E. Cheese in Maple Grove, MN
A suspected norovirus out beak at the Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in Maple Grove, Minnesota is being investigated by the Hennepin County Health Department. The outbreak apparently occurred over the weekend. No one has been hospitalized in this outbreak. although 18 children and adults have reported being ill. Investigators think that someone with the illness ate at the restaurant and spread it to others. The kitchen and food preparation areas are being looked at, and employees are being interviewed to see if they were sick at the time. If you ate at that restaurant in the past week and have been ill, please call the Hennepin County Health Department at 612-543-5230. The symptoms of a norovirus infection include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other symptoms may … [Read more...]
Outbreak at MI Wild Chef Japanese Steakhouse is Norovirus
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 … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak at University of Pittsburgh
A norovirus outbreak at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown over the weekend forced cancellation of all indoor social events and the cancellation of cafeteria services at all campus dining facilities. Students are experiencing symptoms of chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. The University offered prepackaged meals to students. The Wellness Center was closed, and custodial staff cleaned buildings on campus with EPA recommended products before classes resumed today. The illness is believed to be norovirus, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Norovirus is a highly contagious illness that is the leading cause of gastroenteritis in the United States. In addition to the symptoms listed above, anyone sickened by the virus can have muscle … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak At VA Hospital in Oregon
A norovirus outbreak at a Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital in Oregon has sickened at least 150 people, according to an update on the Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center & Clinics' Facebook page. About 125 patients and 25 staff members are ill. Access to the facility is being restricted. Veterans at the facility are being asked to stay in their rooms until they recover. The facility is being cleaned. Norovirus is highly contagious and has an incubation period of 24 hours, and people are contagious for two to three days after symptoms have stopped. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, and fever. The illness is usually not very serious and lasts for a few days, but sometimes dehydration can occur, which can require hospitalization. To prevent … [Read more...]
Frozen Strawberries From China Sickened 11,000 in Germany
Frozen strawberries from China sickened 11,000 people in Germany in the fall of 2012, according to a new report. A single caterer distributed the berries within the country, mostly to schools and childcare facilities. In total, children at 390 schools and child care facilities were exposed to the contaminated berries. All of the affected locations served the tainted berries for lunch. The following day, September 27, 2012, reports of illness began pouring in to health agencies. The kitchens at the facilities prepared the frozen strawberries in different ways. In some cases, they were defrosted and sugared. In others, they were poured into boiling water and briefly boiled. In facilities not affected by the outbreak, the kitchens served the strawberries after boiling them. Norovirus … [Read more...]
