In March 2011, the Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologic team investigated an outbreak of norovirus at a restaurant in Eagan, Minnesota. Five outbreak associated cases were identified. Stool samples submitted by all five ill restaurant patrons tested positive for norovirus GII. Nucleic acid sequencing was conducted on all 5 positive samples. The nucleic acid sequences were identical.

By univariate analysis, consuming parmesan artichoke dip was significantly associated with illness (3 of 5 cases vs. 0 of 11 controls; odds ratio, undefined; 95% confidence interval, undefined; p = 0.02).

MDH EHS sanitarians interviewed 36 restaurant employees, and six reported recent gastrointestinal
illness. The sanitarian observed bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

This was a foodborne outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis associated with a restaurant in Eagan.
Artichoke dip was identified as a vehicle. The source of the contamination was likely an ill food worker.