Seattle area restaurant found spreading Norovirus

The King County Public Health Service is investigating an outbreak of norovirus-like diseases with vomiting, diarrhea, body aches and chills in a Seattle area restaurant.

Public Health has yet to determine how the norovirus was spread in the restaurant. This is not uncommon in norovirus outbreaks as the virus can spread through multiple contaminated foods, environmental surfaces, microscopic particles in the air, and from person to person, the department reported Aug. 11.

The WildFin American Grill in Renton, just south of Seattle, is the facility identified by officials.

Diseases
As of August 2, 10 people from three dinner parties reported becoming ill after consuming food from the WildFin American Grill on July 29.

So far, one sick employee has been identified who was experiencing symptoms consistent with the August 4, 2021 norovirus, but who did not work while contagious. Further investigations are ongoing.

Public health actions
On August 5, environmental health investigators visited the restaurant. Improper handling of food that could contribute to the spread of norovirus, including insufficient dishwasher temperatures, improper hand washing, insufficient use of barriers to prevent bare-hand contact with ready-to-use products – eat food and the risk of cross-contamination.

The restaurant closed on August 5 to complete a thorough cleaning and disinfection. All ready-to-eat foods that were processed before the restaurant was disinfected were discarded.

Environmental health investigators revisited the restaurant and confirmed that proper cleaning and disinfection had been completed and that the improper food handling practices observed had been corrected. The restaurant reopened on August 6, 2021.

Investigators checked with restaurant management the requirement that sick staff should not work until they were symptom-free for at least 48 hours and provided information on preventing the spread of norovirus – including washing hands properly and preventing bare hands from coming into contact with ready-to-eat products Food.

Laboratory tests
Public health does not have laboratory tests for the sick. Laboratory tests are often not done for norovirus outbreaks as people tend to get better within a day or two. Symptoms in sick people indicate norovirus.

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