In March 2017, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Washington County Public Health & Environment (WCPHE) staff investigated an outbreak of norovirus among patrons of a restaurant located in Woodbury, Minnesota. Three outbreak associated cases were identified. No one was hospitalized and no one died. A stool specimen collected from a patron was positive for norovirus GII.P16-GII.4 Sydney.

The implicated meal date was March 23. Cases reported eating various items including beef enchilada, beef taco, beef taco salad, rice, beans, chips, salsa, water, margarita, and root beer. No specific food item was implicated in the statistical analysis.

WCPHE staff interviewed 50 of 51 restaurant employees. Fifteen reported recent gastrointestinal illness. Employee illness onset dates ranged from March 15 to March 29. None of the employees returned stool kits for testing.

WC{HE sanitarians conducted an outbreak assessment. Observations included lack of an employee illness log and illness policy, a service handwashing station with hot water turned off, multiple handwashing sinks missing paper towels, the dish machine not functioning properly, and improper food handling in multiple areas.

Investigators concluded the likely source of the outbreak was an ill food worker.