Foodborne Illnesses / Norovirus /

Norovirus Outbreak Tied to Illinois Restaurant Monical's Pizza

As of December 1, 2022, the Tazewell County Health Department of Tremont, Illinois, is conducting an investigation of a norovirus outbreak linked to Monical's Pizza, located at 6 Cherry Tree Shopping Center in Washington, Illinois.

Three cases of norovirus infection have been laboratory confirmed. The dates of illness onset for those infected began on November 21 to November 26, 2022. Local health department investigators have epidemiological evidence that confirms high-touch surfaces as the vehicle of transmission.

Up to 155 restaurant patrons have been contacted by the health department to participate in their investigation. Many will be interviewed as this investigation unfolds. Anyone who ate within the infection period and experienced symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting, are encouraged to complete the Tazewell County Health Department on-line foodborne illness form.

What is the Norovirus?

Norovirus, commonly called “the stomach flu”, is the most prevalent foodborne illness. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that Norovirus causes 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis in the U.S each year. Norovirus is transmitted primarily through a fecal-oral route, person-to-person or through contamination of food or water.

What are symptoms of Norovirus?

Symptoms of Norovirus usually begin 12 to 48 hours after being exposed and typically last for about 1 to 3 days.

Symptoms include:

  • Sudden onset of vomiting and watery diarrhea
  • Muscle aches
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Fever

Norovirus causes a relatively short, intense illness in healthy individuals. However, in some cases, severe dehydration, malnutrition, and even death can result from Norovirus infection, especially among children, the elderly and immune-compromised adults.

Noroviruses can cause extended outbreaks because of their high infectivity, persistence in the environment, resistance to common disinfectants, and difficulty in controlling their transmission through routine sanitary measures. In addition, Norovirus has evolved to avoid the immune system, which results in outbreaks. There is no specific treatment available for Norovirus.

Marler Clark, Inc., P.S., the Norovirus lawyers have unmatched experience representing victims of foodborne illness. Our Norovirus lawyers have represented thousands of victims of notable Norovirus outbreaks. Marler Clark is the only firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on plaintiff foodborne illness litigation.

If you or a family member became ill with a Norovirus infection after consuming food and you are interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark Norovirus attorneys for a free case evaluation.

Call toll-free at 800-884-9840 or complete the contact us form.

Norovirus outbreaks and recalls

August 23, 2023

Listeria outbreak: Three die after drinking contaminated milkshakes

Three people have died, and three others are in hospital after drinking milkshakes contaminated with listeria bacteria in the US state of Washington, health officials…

July 12, 2023

2011 Listeria Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupes: A History

A total of 148 persons infected with any of the five (5) outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes were reported to CDC from 28 states. The…

May 20, 2023

A Quick Look at the 2018 Hepatitis A Outbreak

Litigation proceeded in a Virginia state court against Tropical Smoothie and the strawberry supply chain. There were 134 people with hepatitis A reported from nine…

  • View all