2012 Outbreak of Norovirus at a Restaurant, Edina, Minnesota
In August 2012 Minnesota Department of Health and City of Edina public health officials investigated an outbreak of norovirus among individuals who ate at a restaurant located in Edina between August 24-26. Illness histories were obtained from 74 restaurant patrons. Eight cases were identified. One patron stool sample was tested and it was positive for norovirus GII. Consumption of roasted potatoes was significantly associated with illness (6 of 8 cases vs. 5 of 61 controls; odds ratio, 8.4; 95% confidence interval, 2.1 to 34.0; p=0.004).
Illness histories and job duty information was obtained from 83 employees. Two employees reported recently having a gastrointestinal illness with onset dates of August 24 and August 27. The employee with the August 24 onset reported working while ill. A stool sample collected from the employee on August 27 was negative for norovirus. Because not all cases reported consuming potatoes, public health officials concluded that it was likely that the ill employee contaminated other ready-to-eat food items in addition to the potatoes.
Overview
| Outbreak began: | August 2012 |
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| Affected country: | US |
| States/territories: | MN |
| Pathogen: | Norovirus |
| Vehicle(s): | Ill Food Handler |
| Location(s): | Restaurant |
| Molecular test results: | GII |
Health impact
| Total ill: | 8 |
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