2012 Outbreak of Norovirus at a Restaurant, Wayzata, Minnesota
In September 2012 Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and City of Minnetonka Environmental Health (CMEH) staff investigated an outbreak of norovirus among patrons of a restaurant located in Wayzata, Minnesota. Thirty eight restaurant patrons were interviewed and 14 met the case definition. The median incubation period was 32 hours (range, 14 to 106 hours). Cases reported meal dates at the restaurant on September 18 (n=3), September 19 (n=4) September 20 (n=6) and September 21 (n=1). Stool samples submitted by three ill patrons tested positive for norovirus GII. Nucleic acid sequencing was conducted on all three positive samples. The nucleic acid sequences were identical. In univariate analysis, no specific food item was associated with illness.
CMEH sanitarians interviewed all 47 restaurant employees. Fourteen reported recent gastrointestinal illness. These employees reported becoming ill between September 17 and September 21.
Investigators concluded this was an outbreak of norovirus associated with eating ready-to-eat foods items. The source of contamination was one or more infected food workers.
Overview
| Outbreak began: | September 2012 |
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| Affected country: | US |
| States/territories: | MN |
| Pathogen: | Norovirus |
| Vehicle(s): | Ill foodhandler |
| Location(s): | Restaurant |
| Molecular test results: | yes |
Health impact
| Total ill: | 14 |
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