Norovirus Outbreak Associated with Sammamish Café & Spirits

King County Public Health is investigating a norovirus outbreak associated with local restaurant, Sammamish Café & Spirits after six cases have been reported.

Norovirus is a highly contagious illness easily spread to food and other surfaces and is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the United States. It is also the most common foodborne pathogen in the country.

Here’s what we know about the current Sammamish Café & Spirits outbreak.

Sammamish Café & Spirits Norovirus Outbreak

So far there have been at least six cases of norovirus illness associated with Sammamish Café & Spirits in this outbreak. Five people reported becoming sick after eating food and drinks at Sammamish Café & Spirits. The sixth cases involves a person who did not eat food or drinks from the restaurant, but lives in the same home as someone who became sick.

All reports of illness indicated one or more symptoms consistent with norovirus infection including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and chills.

There have been no hospitalizations or deaths reported. The investigation is still ongoing.

Reports indicate that sick people consumed food from the establishment between July 2, 2024 and July 3, 2024. People began feeling ill between July 4, 2024 and July 6, 2024.

King County Public Health Orders Sammamish Café & Spirits to Close

Following initial reports of illness associated with the restaurant, King County Environmental Health Investigators closed the restaurant on July 12, 2024.

Norovirus, a very common cause of gastrointestinal illness, was the likely cause. As such, the restaurant was directed to undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfection

A follow-up visit was performed on July 15, 2024 to confirm cleaning and disinfection activities were performed and the restaurant was allowed to reopen. Another visit to “ensure proper compliance with food handling practices and confirm proper cleaning and disinfection is in place” is expected within two weeks.

Multiple Restaurant Staff Also Sick

King County Public Health Environmental Investigators also reviewed restaurant health histories during their visit on July 15, 2024. They discovered records of multiple restaurant staff sick with norovirus over the past couple of weeks.

According to reports, several restaurant staff reported symptoms consistent with norovirus from July 4, 2024 through July 12, 2024.

None of these restaurant staff indicated working while sick. None reported being sick with vomiting or diarrheal symptoms in the two weeks prior to sick customers eating at the restaurant.

In response to these findings, Environmental Investigators reviewed with restaurant management the health department requirement that sick staff are not allowed to return to work until they are symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

Additional information about preventing the spread of norovirus, proper handwashing, and preventing bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods was also covered.

Sammamish Café & Spirits Has a History of Deficiencies

The restaurant, located at 22850 NE 8^th St. in Sammamish, Washington, held a “needs to improve” status rating by King County Public Health that has improved on the subsequent inspection.

While this “needs to improve” status may be related to the current outbreak linked to the establishment, Sammamish Café & Spirits also has a history of deficiencies. King County Public Health has also warned the restaurant of the same deficiencies multiple times.

Recent deficiencies include the serious status of improper cold holding temperatures. Allowing food to deviate into the “danger zone” of 40° F to 140°F can allow harmful germs to reproduce to infectious numbers. This increases the chance of foodborne illness.

Other recent deficiencies include inadequate ventilation or lighting, improper thawing methods used, and potential food contamination during delivery, preparation, storage, or display.

Several deficiencies continue to persist. For example, the restaurant has been cited twice for failure to properly post the “Consumer Advisory” for raw/undercooked foods. They have been also warned twice for proper thawing methods, maintaining clean and sanitized food contact surfaces, and storing in-use utensils properly.

These repeat offenses demonstrate a lapse in food safety awareness, potentially allowing a foodborne outbreak to take place.

What is Norovirus and How Is It Spread?

Norovirus is sometimes referred to as the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug” despite not being related to the influenza virus in any way.

Norovirus is caused by a virus which inflames the stomach or intestines, resulting in acute gastroenteritis.

Who Can Get Norovirus?

Norovirus is highly contagious. Anyone, even normally healthy people, can become sick when exposed to the virus.

However, certain risk factors can influence becoming sick if exposed or experience more serious illness if infected.

Risk factors include:

• Older adults
• Children younger than 5 years old
• Those with a weakened immune system
• Consuming raw shellfish (including oysters)

Norovirus Symptoms

Common norovirus symptoms involve diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Some may also experience fever, headache and body aches.

These symptoms usually begin around 12 to 48 hours after exposure and generally lasts around one and three days.

Dehydration is a serious complication associated with diarrheal illness. When you lose more fluids than your body can take in, your body suffers.

Common dehydration symptoms include:

• Decreased urination
• Dry mouth and throat
• Dizziness upon standing
• Crying with few or no tears (small children)
• Unusual sleepiness or fussiness (small children)

Seek medical attention if you or a loved one experience dehydration symptoms or severe symptoms.

Even after symptoms resolve, someone infected with norovirus can continue to spread the virus for a few days or even weeks after they feel better.

How is Norovirus Spread?

Norovirus is spread when microscopic amounts of feces containing the virus are inadvertently consumed. This is called the fecal-oral route and is more common than you may think.

Transfer can occur as simply as a sick person not washing their hands after using the restroom or not properly washing them.

Norovirus can spread quickly from one person to another through direct or indirect contact with a sick person.

Common ways norovirus spreads include:

• Direct contact with someone sick with norovirus. This includes caring for them, eating food handled by them, or sharing food or eating utensils with them.
• Consuming food or drinks/liquids contaminated with norovirus
• Touching contaminated objects or surfaces and putting your unwashed fingers into your mouth or eating.

Proper handwashing before and after you eat, after using the restroom or helping someone in the restroom, and when caring for a sick person are the easiest ways to help prevent the spread of norovirus illness.

Did You Become Sick After Eating at Sammamish Café & Spirits?

Have you or a loved one become sick after eating at Sammamish Café & Spirits? It is a good idea to get advice from an experienced norovirus lawyer.

The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has represented norovirus outbreak cases, just like yours, and can help you get the justice you deserve. Becoming seriously ill due to negligence can have lasting impacts. Medical bills, lost wages, and other related hardships add up. The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help

Call (833) 330-3663 or click here to fill out the online submission form for a free consultation today!

By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)