In October 2011, Kansas Department of Health and Environment staff investigated an outbreak of norovirus associated with a wedding reception dinner held in Johnson County on October 14, 2011. Thirty individuals met the case definition for the outbreak. No one was hospitalized and no one died. Two stool specimens that were collected from reception attendees tested positive for
norovirus genogroup II.

The dinner and cake were catered by Hy‐Vee grocery store located at 13550 W 63rd, Shawnee, KS. The kitchen at Hy‐vee was inspected on October 19, 2011. Four critical violations were
identified: 1) Improper cooling, 2) Dirty food contact surfaces, 3) Dried food debris on utensils,
and 4) Dish machine not sanitizing properly. All violations were corrected on site. Eighteen
employees were surveyed and no one reported any illness.

Consuming beef brisket served at the dinner was significantly associated with illness, however, investigators concluded that the brisket was contaminated during preparation. , it is likely that the brisket, other food items, or environmental surfaces could have been contaminated by either a person infected with norovirus that was not yet experiencing symptoms or someone who was asymptomatic but still infected with norovirus.