On March 6, 2011, approximately 120 people attended a Swedish meatball dinner held at a church in Mound View, Minnesota. Three days later public health officials at the Minnesota Department of Health received reports of diarrheal illnesses among event attendees. These reports triggered an outbreak investigation. A total of 53 outbreak associated cases were identified. Five people were hospitalized. No one died. Five stool specimens tested positive for norovirus GII.

On March 14, Ramsey County Public Health Department sanitarians inspected the church kitchen and spoke with the dinner coordinator and the pastor. Eight people prepared food for the event. Some food items were prepared at private homes, and some were prepared at the church. None of the persons who prepared or served the food reported illness prior to food preparation or the
event, and none reported having ill household members prior to or during food preparation. No food item was significantly associated with illness.

The specific food nor the route of transmission were not identified.