Chips transmit illness at wedding
reception in Rochester
8/7/2008 11:32:25 AM
By Jeff Hansel
Post-Bulletin,
Source of Article: http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=355280
More than 20 people who attended a
"Initial reports came through from a
member of the wedding party itself, indicating ... a number of people being
ill," said Kari Etrheim, public information
officer for Olmsted County Public Health.
The illness spread after an infected guest
grabbed handfuls of chips at the reception hall, Etrheim
said.
Noroviruses spread largely through food or water
contaminated by fecal matter, or through close contact
with infected people, according to Mayo-Clinic.com. Anyone who ate chips before
the infected guest escaped unscathed. But those who ate them afterward
unknowingly risked illness.
Health officials kept detailed charts to
match illness to foods eaten by guests. "Other foods may have been
contaminated as well, but only the chips were statistically significant,"
said epidemiologist Larry Edmonson.
Norovirus usually causes diarrhea,
abdominal pain and vomiting within 24 to 48 hours of exposure, says the Mayo
Web site. Symptoms last one to five days, and most
people recover without treatment.
The first call about the wedding reception
at the Rochester Eagles Club was received around 3:30 p.m. Monday. By 6 p.m.,
at least eight public-health experts were investigating.
"I think we conducted 74 interviews
Monday evening -- it's much easier when you're given a list of people who were
there," Etrheim said. Symptoms of foodborne illness typically show up 36 to 48 hours after
exposure, she said.
Because of quick response, cooperation and
a contained outbreak, it's unlikely others will become ill, health officials
said.
It's a reminder, for all ages, of a basic
lesson school kids learn.
"Wash your hands, wash your hands,
wash your hands," Etrheim said. "If you're
feeling ill, and if you've had diarrhea, we really ask people to refrain from cooking
and helping with any food preparation activities for three days after the
illness has subsided."
The Eagles kitchen closed for two days for
deep cleaning, even though there was no public health request to do so and the norovirus is believed brought in by a guest, said Kevin
Hanson, Fraternal Order of Eagles manager.
_________________________________________________________
Copyright (C) All rights reserved
under FoodHACCP.com
If
you have any comments, please send your
email to info@foodhaccp.com
