On January 29, 2013, the Pawnee County Health Department notified Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response section of a foodborne illness outbreak associated with a dinner banquet held on January 26, 2013. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among individuals who attended the banquet to determine if illness was associated with any specific foods or drinks served at the banquet.

Overall, 109 of approximately 200 individuals that attended the banquet on January 26, 2013 were interviewed. Thirty-six (33%) individuals reported gastrointestinal symptoms and of those, 28 (26%) met the case definition. Three cases submitted stool specimens for laboratory testing. Results were positive for norovirus genogroup II. No one was hospitalized and no one died.

Consuming a mixed drink and having ice in a mixed drink were significantly associated with illness. Mixed drinks were prepared by multiple bartenders, with canned soda provided as mixers. The ice used was purchased in bags from a grocery store and put into a holding container, which was then added to the individual mixed drinks. The ice may have been contaminated by bartenders via bare hand contact.