An investigation has revealed that inadequate hand washing facilities at a Canberra, Australia catering company likely factor in a significant norovirus outbreak affecting dozens of people in late 2022. The findings were detailed in a report released by the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Australian Centre for Disease Control, according to an article on region.com.au.
The outbreak came to light in November 2022 when ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Health received multiple complaints from individuals who fell ill after attending events catered by the same business. The subsequent investigation identified 64 affected people, including seven confirmed cases of norovirus infection.
Health officials surveyed 110 people who had attended five different events serviced by the catering company. Those affected reported symptoms including vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, muscle pain, and fatigue. Six people required medical attention, with four seeking emergency care.
Laboratory testing confirmed norovirus in all seven fecal specimens collected from affected attendees. Norovirus, a highly contagious cause of gastroenteritis, can spread through direct contact with fecal matter or vomit from infected persons, even those without apparent symptoms.
The investigation found that consumption of specific food items was “significantly associated” with illness, particularly vegetarian rice paper rolls, certain sushi varieties (especially teriyaki beef and tuna), and roast beef wraps. These items were prepared by a food handler whose child had been ill the week before the outbreak, though the handler reported no symptoms themselves.
Three employees of the catering business, one food handler and two drivers, also developed gastrointestinal illness during mid-November 2022. All three had consumed food prepared at the business premises.
An inspection of the catering facility in November 2022 revealed several non-compliance issues despite the premises being generally clean. Inspectors noted the absence of a separate food preparation sink, an unclean walk-in freezer floor requiring replacement, and potential cross-contamination risks within the freezer.
The report highlighted additional concerns, including hand washing sinks in staff toilets that were “too small to allow effective handwashing,” lack of a documented staff exclusion policy, and inadequately maintained staff illness records.
The unnamed catering business had previously been implicated in a foodborne norovirus outbreak in 2019, according to the report.
The findings have prompted recommendations for enhanced education among catering businesses in the Australian Capital Territory. The report emphasizes the importance of “appropriate hand hygiene and food handling practices,” as well as proper exclusion policies for food handlers experiencing gastroenteritis symptoms, to prevent similar outbreaks in the future.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading norovirus lawyer said, “Food service businesses must have a policy where sick employees need to stay at home. While it may be tempting to still have those ill employees work, the risk of making customers sick and commensurate consequences are too great.”
