2013 Outbreak of Norovirus Assocated with a Work Event, Ramsey County, Minnesota

In February 2013 Minnesota public health officials investigated an outbreak of gastroenteritis among 6 of 20 employees of a retail store who had attended a lunch event catered by a deli in St. Paul, Minnesota. The event was held on February 13. The Minnesota Department of Health was able to interview 2 of the ill persons. Both attendees met the case definition and reported vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and one reported fever. One case sought medical attention for her illness but was not hospitalized. The reported incubations were 28 and 34.5 hours. Both cases reported duration of illness as 3 days. City of St. Paul Environmental Health sanitarians interviewed all 10 of the restaurant's employees. One food worker reported an onset of vomiting and diarrhea on the evening of February 12 and reported working while ill on February 13. Sanitarians did not find any violations in food preparation or handling. Investigators concluded this was likely a norovirus outbreak caused by an ill food worker who worked with the delivery order.

Overview

Outbreak began:February 2013
Affected country:US
States/territories:MN
Pathogen:Norovirus
Vehicle(s):Ill foodhandler
Location(s):Catered Event
Molecular test results:no

Health impact

Total ill:6

Sources & documents

Outbreak documents