A restaurant that closed on Friday, January 22nd, will remain closed until further action is taken to correct the problems that led to an outbreak of Norovirus. Cousins Subs in Neenah Wisconsin was closed after about 25 people who had eaten at the restaurant became ill. Now, the Neenah Health Department reports that about 50 people have filed reports complaining of gastrointestinal illnesses after eating foods served at the shop.
According to Judy Crouch-Smolarek of the Health Department, Cousins Subs will stay closed until they comply with the required actions that are established by the Health Department. She says that they are still collecting information about the Norovirus food poisoning outbreak, and that an inspector is working at the shop with a representative of Cousins Subs from Menomonee Falls which is the corporate office. The franchise owner is cooperating in the efforts as well.
Patrons of the restaurant filed reports with the Health Department after becoming ill with food poisoning symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and headaches.
A North Carolina based casino has also closed recently due to a Norovirus outbreak. According to reports, staff members are working frantically to kill the virus by thoroughly disinfecting all surfaces with bleach water in efforts to avoid scaring off more patrons. Slot machines, restrooms, handrails, doorknobs and all other surfaces are being disinfected in order to prevent further spread of the virus. The casino was not named in the news report, but is said to be a land-based casino.
Norovirus, or Norwalk, is one of the most common contaminants related to food poisoning and food safety incidents. When a surface is contaminated, the virus can live for weeks if proper disinfection does not take place. This puts anyone who touches the surface at risk, as well as foods that are prepared on that surface. Foods that are tainted with Norovirus cause individuals to develop gastrointestinal symptoms, which are easily spread from person to person. If infected, you should obtain treatment and consult with a food poisoning attorney.
Norovirus is a direct result of improper sanitary measures. When someone visits the toilet and fails to wash their hands the virus can be transmitted. It is a fecal-oral agent, which means that food or water is contaminated with fecal matter of an infected individual. Shellfish is often the source of a Norovirus outbreak, because boaters may dump raw sewage in the waters where these shellfish live.
Certain individuals are at risk for complications from Norovirus, so seeking medical attention if you develop symptoms is advised.
