Norovirus Outbreak In King County Involves 4 Restaurants

SEATTLE, WA - At least 46 people have been sickened by norovirus in an outbreak spread across four restaurants in King County, according to the health department.

The people who were sickened ate at the restaurants between May 8 and 9. The restaurants in the outbreak include Anthony's Homeport in Des Moines, Okinawa Teriyaki in Seattle, Italianissimo Ristorante in Woodinville, and the Lockspot Cafe in Seattle.

King County has closed each restaurant for a cleaning. Each one will reopen after an inspection. Anthony's was not closed, but was given the OK to continue operating, according to the company.

“We are taking this matter very seriously,” says CEO of Anthony’s Restaurants, Herb Gould. “The health and well-being of our guests and team members are our top priority and therefore we immediately implemented cleaning and sanitation procedures to ensure the restaurant is a safe environment. We have voluntarily gone above and beyond the Health Department’s guidelines by sanitizing every surface area of the restaurant; from all kitchen areas, handrails, table condiments, the undersides of chairs and tables as well as discarding and replacing all menus. We also hired a professional cleaning company as well as a carpet cleaning company. “

Norovirus is an extremely contagious virus, and is able to live on surfaces like doorknobs and tabletops for weeks. Some of the restaurants involved - Lockspot Cafe, Anthony's Homeport - have "excellent" inspection ratings from the county.

Symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and chills. If you've experienced similar symptoms after eating at a local restaurant, contact the health department via its website.

Image via Shutterstock