Norovirus outbreak at Evanston Mexican restaurant sickens Northwestern students
By Rita Johnson, Chicago Tribune
A confirmed norovirus outbreak investigation is underway at the Evanston Health and Human Services Department and Northwestern University after students got sick from a $1 burrito event at a local Mexican restaurant.
The department launched the investigation this week after receiving complaints of stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea from students who consumed food Saturday at Big Wig Tacos & Burritos, located at 950 Church Street in Evanston. The eatery hosted a $1 burrito promotion for Northwestern students from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Norovirus is a highly contagious foodborne illness that affects people of all ages, the department said. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain 12 to 48 hours after someone is exposed. The department said symptoms usually clear up within one to three days, but recommended seeking medical attention if they become severe.
The department said it completed an “immediate and thorough inspection” of the restaurant, confirming that it had an employee health policy and reviewing cleaning and sanitizing procedures. Big Wig Tacos & Burritos “fully cooperated” during the investigation, the department said.
They encourage people who dined at Big Wig Tacos on Saturday to complete a questionnaire, even if they aren’t experiencing symptoms.
Big Wig Tacos President Jose Manolo Estrada said in a statement that the business is taking “immediate and comprehensive measures” to address the outbreak. He said they are collaborating with local authorities, closely monitoring staff for symptoms and “taking extra steps to thoroughly clean and sanitize.” He said none of the staff have developed symptoms yet.
“Understanding that norovirus outbreaks are more common in settings like colleges and universities, we want to emphasize our commitment to the health and well-being of our patrons and staff,” Estrada said. “While there have been reported cases, we are not certain that the outbreak originated at our restaurant.”
Norovirus, which is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the stomach flu, spreads easily, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People can contract the virus after eating contaminated food or drink, touching contaminated surfaces or having direct contact with someone with the norovirus, the CDC said.
To protect against the spread of norovirus, officials recommend washing hands thoroughly with soap and water and avoiding preparing food for others or working in a daycare center, healthcare facility or restaurant if experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms.