Outbreak of 'norovirus-like illness' associated with Maggiano's Little Italy

Washington Public Health is investigating an outbreak of a “norovirus-like illness” associated with Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant in Bellevue.

UDPATE: Maggiano’s Little Italy reopened January 27.  

Preliminary information indicates that as many as 50 people who attended a private event at the restaurant on Jan. 16 might have come down with norovirus.

One or more of the attendees might already have been ill at the time of the event, according to public health officials.

Several restaurant workers were also believed to be ill with symptoms consistent with norovirus dating back to Jan. 9.

"We currently do not have laboratory confirmation that this is definitively norovirus, but often in norovirus outbreaks no laboratory testing is done," the public health department wrote on its website.
Public health officials learned of the outbreak late Friday.

Maggiano’s food business permit has been suspended to allow time for thorough cleaning and sanitizing.

Related: PHOTOS: What foods does a top food-borne illness attorney NEVER eat? 

A spokeswoman released the following statement on the behalf of the restaurant:

Last Wednesday, Maggiano’s became aware of a party that reported illness after visiting our restaurant in Bellevue two days prior, on Monday, January 18.  We immediately reported this potential issue to the King County Health Department, and have been working closely with them to thoroughly investigate.  To date, we have no confirmed diagnosis of a food-borne illness, and no other reports of any guest outside of this single party becoming ill.

We are taking this isolated incident very seriously and have thoroughly disinfected the restaurant.  We maintain strict standards of quality, safety and cleanliness in our restaurants and train every teammate in proper food safety and handling.  Additionally, teammates are required to report illness to management, which results in immediate exclusion from work.

As we learn more, we will keep the community informed.  Guests wanting more information may contact Maggiano’s at 1-844-201-1041, Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PST.

About norovirus:

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that is frequently spread person-to-person and is often associated with food. Learn more about norovirus at Public Health's website.

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Cox Media Group