More than 100 people became sick after eating at a Carrabba’s restaurant in East Lansing, Michigan. The Barry-Eaton District Health Department stated that tests had confirmed that the cause of the outbreak was norovirus; however, the origin of the contamination or had not been isolated as of that time.
100-Plus People Contract Norovirus at Lansing, Michigan Carrabba’s
The people who fell ill dined at the Carrabba’s, located at 6540 W. Saginaw Highway, dined at the establishment on May 7th or May 8th.
The Health Department’s community services supervisor, Greg Cabose, said the location voluntarily closed at 6:00 p.m. on the 10th after receiving complaints of illnesses from people who had dined at the restaurant and a site visit from health department officials.
The business reopened two days later, and Cabose said that health department officials were confident that the restaurant had been sufficiently sanitized. The officials visited the restaurant after they received complaints from two people who alleged they had become sick from eating at the restaurant.
When asked for comment, media and communications director for the parent company for Carrabba’s, Elizabeth Watts, declined to answer any questions, but referred media to a statement released by the company, which reads as follows:
“We’ve sanitized the entire restaurant and discarded all food that was opened and prepared, which was the majority of the food. We will continue to closely monitor employees and have always had the rule that only healthy team members will work. We have been working closely with the health department, which has confirmed we’ve taken the appropriate measures and that it is safe for is to reopen today.”
The most common symptoms among the people who ate at the restaurant were watery diarrhea and vomiting.
Symptoms & Treatment for Cases of Norovirus
Generally, individuals develop symptoms between 12 and 48 hours after their first exposure to the virus. Diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and nausea are the most common symptoms. Other symptoms commonly experienced – though less frequently than those listed above – include fever, headache, and body aches.
Most people infected with norovirus recover within 1 to 3 days; however, young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals and people with other illnesses may experience dehydration.
The CDC indicates that symptoms of dehydration include a decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, and a “dizzy feeling” when standing. feeling dizzy when standing, Additionally, children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.
If you believe you or someone you are caring for is dehydrated, please seek medical attention.
