Last week
the “world’s top restaurant” was hit by an outbreak of Norovirus. According to The Danish Veterinary and Food
Administration, 63 of 435 guests over a two day period in February were
stricken by this illness.
This story
went viral in a matter of hours, food websites, twitter, facebook, and major
media outlets, were all reporting on this incident. True, as it may be, this restaurant is
located on the other side of the world – so what does it have to do with us?
Norovirus
has been at epidemic levels, causing almost 21 million illnesses each year in
the U.S. alone. According to the CDC,
there is no specific treatment or prevention.
The best cure…PROPER HANDWASHING AND FOOD HYGIENE. Norovirus is highly contagious; symptoms
include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or gastroenteritis. Often times, carriers do not even know they
are carrying the virus, and may still be carrying it after they have recovered
from the symptoms. Norovirus can survive
temperatures, from below freezing to over 140⁰F; it can survive for nearly two
weeks on many surfaces. And, it takes
less than 20 viral particles to cause illness.
Though norovirus
can be spread virtually anytime, anywhere it is prevalent in schools, nursing
homes, restaurants, and cruise ships – which incidentally had two outbreaks
last week, according to the CDC. It
takes only one infected individual to perpetuate an outbreak. In addition, the CDC reports that nearly 50%
of norovirus outbreaks can be traced back to foodservice workers. You cannot rely on hand sanitizers to kill
norovirus, it takes soap and hot water.
Education
and training of food service workers is essential, not only at the management
level but at ALL levels. Good basic
food safety training is essential. After
all, if it can happen at the “world’s top restaurant”, could it happen to you?
