A norovirus outbreak in Raleigh, North Carolina that has sickened at least 241 people has been linked to the popular sushi restaurant Sushi Nine.
Norovirus is highly contagious and can cause “severe vomiting and diarrhea that starts suddenly,” according to the Mayo Clinic, which adds that it is spread through food preparation or close contact with someone who has norovirus.
“We’re pretty confident it wasn’t food,” Mac Schreiber, Sushi Nine’s manager, told NBC News. “We reasonably believe that a customer with norovirus had dined at the restaurant several days prior.”
However, Sushi Nine voluntarily closed for deep cleaning after the norovirus outbreak, according to a statement from Wake County, and has since reopened to the public.
Sushi Nine’s manager believes a customer caused the norovirus outbreak.
“We have taken proactive steps to respond to recent reports of alleged food [poisoning]. We are doing a thorough deep cleaning and inspection of our restaurant,” Lisa Fatfat, co-owner of Sushi Nine, told WRAL News. “Our team is cooperating fully with local health officials.”
“Unfortunately, norovirus can spread very easily, especially during the winter months when people gather for holiday gatherings and parties that involve a lot of meal preparation and catering,” Wake County Public Health Director Rebecca Kaufman said in a statement.
“An environmental health advisor visits the facility daily,” the statement continued. “No new complaints have been reported since the restaurant reopened on Friday, December 8.”
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Those who became ill visited Sushi Nine between Saturday, November 28 and Tuesday, December 5.
Norovirus spreads easily in close quarters such as schools or cruise ships, where a record 13 norovirus outbreaks were reported last summer before July.
The Covid-era recommendation to wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds can help avoid the spread of norovirus, the CDC says.
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Norovirus symptoms appear suddenly.
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Hand sanitizer, on the other hand, “doesn’t work well.” The Mayo Clinic echoes this, recommending soap and water instead of alcohol-based sanitizers.
Symptoms can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure to norovirus and can last up to three days. Norovirus is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, but most symptoms go away on their own, and patients are advised to stay hydrated and use over-the-counter solutions (such as anti-nausea or anti-diarrhea medications) to relieve symptoms.
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However, “for some people—especially young children, older adults, and people with other health problems—vomiting and diarrhea can be seriously dehydrating and require medical attention,” the Mayo Clinic says.
Warning signs of dehydration include fatigue and dry mouth. Parents are warned to keep an eye on their children because those “who are dehydrated may cry with little or no tears. They may be unusually sleepy or irritable.”
In these extreme cases, intravenous hydration may be necessary.
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