Image by Wolfgang Claussen from Pixabay
Public Health Seattle & King County are investigating a norovirus outbreak at Stoneburner Restaurant potentially linked to sick employees.
Norovirus is a highly contagious diarrheal illness easily spread from food workers to restaurant patrons. From there it can make its way through families, creating a serious outbreak situation.
Here’s what we know about the norovirus outbreak at Stoneburner restaurant in Seattle.
So far there have been seven reports of illnesses associated with consuming food from Stoneburner restaurant located at 5214 Ballard Ave NW in Seattle.
People began feeling sick between August 12, 2024 and August 16, 2024. Those who have reported illnesses indicate consuming food from the restaurant between August 11, 2024 and August 14, 2024.
Norovirus Outbreak at Stoneburner Restaurant
5214 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Meal Date Range August 11, 2024 to August 14, 2024
Investigation in Progress
Public Health Seattle & King County began receiving reports on August 20, 2024 of multiple people reporting symptoms consistent with norovirus after eating food and drinks from the restaurant on August 11,2024 and August 14, 2024. This prompted an investigation.
Laboratory tests were not available to confirm norovirus, however, Public Health indicates that this is not uncommon.
“We do not have laboratory testing for the people who got sick, which is not unusual for illnesses like this that don’t last very long. Symptoms among those who got sick are like norovirus, but other causes could not be ruled out.”
Stoneburner restaurant currently holds a “Good” food safety rating with Public Health Seattle & King County. However in the past year they have received violations during routine inspections.
On February 1, 2024, they were issued warnings for “proper shellstock ID, wild mushroom ID, and parasite destruction procedures for fish.” Indicating a problem with documentation within the restaurant kitchen. They were also issued a warning for “proper cold holding temperatures 45 F” indicating potential deviations in refrigerated food holding.
Previous years violations showed a trend of separating raw meat from ready-to-eat foods, proper holding temperatures of cold food, and extreme violations involving bare hand contact of ready-to-eat. Bare hand contact is one of the more common ways norovirus is spread through food workers.
In response to the norovirus outbreak at Stoneburner restaurant, Public Health closed the establishment on August 21, 2024 so staff could perform appropriate cleaning and disinfection activities.
Public Health returned the following day to ensure this cleaning took place.
During the course of the investigation, Public Health learned that some of the restaurant staff had symptoms of norovirus on or before the dates sick patrons reported eating at the restaurant.
The source of the outbreak, as it often is, potentially links back to a sick food worker.
According to the outbreak investigation report, “During the visit, we also learned that restaurant staff had symptoms of norovirus on or before the sick customers’ meal dates.”
Public Health informed restaurant management of work restrictions for food workers with norovirus symptoms.
“We told restaurant management that staff who are sick with norovirus cannot work until they have no symptoms for at least 48 hours.”
Management was also given additional information on how to stop the spread of norovirus in the restaurant, which included correct handwashing and glove use.
Norovirus is a highly contagious illness responsible for about half of all outbreaks of food-related illnesses. The majority are caused by people who prepare or touch food when they are sick. In some cases, norovirus can spread from food that comes in contact with contaminated water.
Norovirus is leading cause of foodborne outbreaks in the United States
Norovirus is a tiny, microscopic pathogen that has a low viral load. This means that in addition to being so small it cannot be seen with the naked eye, it doesn’t take much to become infectious.
Trace amounts that you cannot see, smell, or taste can be infectious.
Norovirus is spread through contact with someone infected with the virus, consuming contaminated food or water, or touching contaminated surfaces and putting your unwashed hands in your mouth. The latter is the most common.
Norovirus is spread through what is known as “fecal-oral route” and while it is as gross as it sounds. The unsuspecting victim is almost always unaware of it.
The virus lives and grows in the digestive system of the infected host. It leaves the host during bowel movements and passes into the host’s feces. Billions of norovirus particles are produced in the host.
Poor hygiene activities after using the restroom such as no, or ineffective handwashing spreads the virus.
Just microscopic, trace amounts of feces on a poorly washed hand can spread the virus to other people when they touch common surfaces, touch other people, or prepare food.
All over the place!
An infected food service worker can contaminate work surfaces and food, leading to a norovirus outbreak in restaurant patrons and/or store employees.
Norovirus is often called “the stomach bug” or “stomach flu” despite being an entirely different virus from the influenza virus. This is likely because it shares quite a few symptoms with the flu virus and many times a source cannot be identified.
Common symptoms of norovirus infection include:
There is no medical treatment protocol for norovirus. Antibiotics are not effective against this type of infection, so your best course of action is to hydrate and rest until symptoms subside. Seek medical attention if symptoms become severe or you become dehydrated.
You are most contagious and likely to transmit your illness to others while you are feeling sick through the first few days of feeling better.
Most state and local health departments have a foodborne illness protocol for food workers. This protocol also applies to schools, daycares, and healthcare facilities. Anywhere someone sick with norovirus can spread it to others.
Food workers should inform their managers if they have norovirus symptoms or were recently sick. These workers should not report to work for 48 hours after symptoms have resolved. Even while returning to work, these employees should continue efforts to reduce the spread of illness with frequent handwashing.
According to the outbreak inspection report, Public Health Seattle & King County representatives plan to follow up with the restaurant in mid-September. This is to be sure that the restaurant continues to follow safety practices along with correct cleaning and disinfection activities.
If you have been impacted by this norovirus outbreak at Stoneburner restaurant and want to file a suit for financial compensation, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a norovirus lawyer that can help!
Foodborne illness is inconvenient, disruptive to your personal and professional life, and in some cases serious or life-threatening. Most of the time foodborne illness is completely preventable. Lapses in food safety result in consumers becoming sick.
Call (833) 330-3663 or send an email for a free, no obligation consultation to go over the details of your situation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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