Norovirus...It Can Happen To ANYONE!

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?