​​241 People Sickened in Norovirus Outbreak Linked to North Carolina Sushi Restaurant

A norovirus outbreak has been linked to a popular sushi eatery, but the restaurant's manager believes a sick customer is to blame

A norovirus outbreak in Raleigh, North Carolina that has sickened at least 241 people has been linked to a popular sushi restaurant, Sushi Nine.

Norovirus is highly contagious, and can cause “severe vomiting and diarrhea that start sudden,” according to the Mayo Clinic, which adds that it’s spread either through food preparation, or by coming into close contact with someone who has norovirus.

“We’re pretty confident that it wasn’t the food,” Mac Schreiber, the manager of Sushi Nine, told NBC news. “We have a reasonable belief that a customer with norovirus dined in the restaurant a few days prior.”

However, Sushi Nine voluntarily closed for deep cleaning following the norovirus outbreak, according to a statement from Wake County, and has since reopened to the public.

“We have taken proactive steps to address recent reports of alleged food [poisoning]. We are conducting a thorough deep clean and inspection of our restaurant,” Lisa Fatfat, co-owner of Sushi Nine, told WRAL News. “Our team is cooperating fully with local health officials."

“Unfortunately, norovirus can spread very easily, especially during the winter months when people come together for holiday gatherings and parties which include a lot of meal prep and catering,” Wake County Public Health Director Rebecca Kaufman said in the statement.

“An environmental health consultant is conducting daily visits to the establishment,” the statement continued. “No new complaints have been reported since the restaurant reopened on Friday, Dec. 8.”

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Those who were sickened visited Sushi Nine between Saturday, Nov. 28 and Tuesday, Dec. 5.

Norovirus spreads easily in close quarters such as schools or cruise ships, which this past summer saw a record 13 outbreaks of norovirus before July.

The Covid-era recommendation to wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds can help avoid the spread of norovirus, the CDC says.

Hand sanitizer, on the other hand, “does not work well." The Mayo Clinic echoes this, recommending soap and water over alcohol-based sanitizers.

Symptoms can kick in as early as 12 hours after exposure to the norovirus, and can last up to three days. Norovirus is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain, but most symptoms resolve on their own, with patients being advised to stay hydrated and use over-the-counter solutions (such as anti-nausea or anti-diarrheal medication) to ease symptoms.

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However, "for some people — especially young children, older adults and people with other medical conditions — vomiting and diarrhea can be severely dehydrating and require medical attention," the Mayo Clinic says.

Warning signs of dehydration include fatigue and dry mouth. Parents are cautioned to monitor their children, as those "who are dehydrated might cry with few or no tears. They might be unusually sleepy or fussy."

In these extreme cases, intravenous hydration might be required.

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