In Minnesota, winter is the season for norovirus, a flu-like foodborne illness that can cause serious injury. The season started a little early this year with a confirmed outbreak in Mankato at the Verizon Wireless Center, the city’s civic center, in November. About 50 people reported getting sick after attending one of two events, one sponsored by the Mankato Chamber of Commerce and one by a veteran’s group. Both events were catered by Najwa’s Catering. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) determined that the cause of the outbreak was someone working for the catering company.
This month, a norovirus outbreak in the LeRoy, MN area sickened several guests at an area wedding. Health department officials have not released information about the outbreak.
Norovirus is the illness caused by noroviruses, a group of viruses that can cause inflammation of the stomach and intestines, leading to vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping. Other symptoms can include low-grade fever or chills, headache, and muscle aches. Noroviruses are the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in Minnesota. Found in the stool (feces) or vomit of infected people, the viruses are transferred to food, water or surfaces by the hands of infected people who have not washed adequately after using the bathroom. The key here is hand washing, and restaurants are responsible when their employees do not adequately wash their hands.
Attorney Fred Pritzker and his Bad Bug Law Team have won money for clients sickened by norovirus at restaurants and catered events. In these cases, a food handler was determined to be the likely cause of the outbreak, and the restaurants and caterers were still found legally responsible and had to compensate victims.
People become infected with norovirus by:
- Eating food or drinking liquids contaminated by an infected person.
- Eating uncooked shellfish that has been harvested from contaminated waters.
- Touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then touching their mouth or eating without washing their hands first.
Symptoms of norovirus usually begin 1 or 2 days after ingesting the virus, but may appear as early as 12 hours after exposure. The illness typically comes on suddenly. If you become very sick after eating at a restaurant or catered event, you may have norovirus. Contact your medical provider and then contact our norovirus lawyers for a free consultation regarding a lawsuit to recover compensation.
