Personal Injury Law

Di Nolfo's Banquet Inn and Catering source of 57 Norovirus Cases

By Norovirus Lawyer

According to press reports, at least four people were hospitalized and 53 others reported illnesses after attending wedding parties this month at a banquet hall in south suburban Mokena, leading Will County health officials to try to determine the cause.  The Health Department is looking for others who may have gotten sick after attending weddings at Di Nolfo's Banquet Inn and Catering on July 16 and 17.

Health officials believe the source of the illness is a Norovirus, a highly infectious family of viruses responsible for the majority of non-bacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks reported worldwide. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headaches, and chills.  Health officials collected and tested food from Di Nolfo's, 9425 W. 191st Street, but did not find any significant violations. None of Di Nolfo's employees have reported illnesses, officials said.

"Outbreaks like this one underscore the importance of frequent and thorough hand washing," the health department's Alpesh Patel said in a released statement. "One person with soiled hands can quickly transmit Norovirus to lots of people through contaminated surfaces or food."

Full post as published by Norovirus Blog on July 29, 2010 (boomark / email).