Norovirus is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the United States. Transmission of the virus occurs when an infected person’s vomit or stool gets on food or surfaces that many people touch.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting norovirus induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with norovirus in an outbreak food poisoning, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Examples of Norovirus Recalls & Outbreaks
- January 2024 — Oysters from Mexico
- July 2023 — Oysters from Nova Scotia, Canada
- April 2022 — Oysters
- April 2021 — Arby’s in Springfield, Illinois
- March 2020 — WinCo Frozen Blackberries & Berry Medley
- October 2019 — Cornerstone Frozen Blackberries
- June 2019 — Walmart Frozen Blackberries and Save-A-Lot Mixed Berries
- June 2019 — WinCo Frozen Red Raspberries
Chipotle Norovirus Outbreak in Virginia Infects 135 People
July 2017 — A sick employee at a Chipotle in Sterling, Virginia has been blamed on an outbreak of Norovirus food poisoning that infected at least 135 people between July 13 and July 16, 2017. No illnesses have been reported since the restaurant re-opened on July 19. Click here to read more.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that is transmitted by eating contaminated food or water, touching contaminated surfaces, or from an infected person. Although it is not always the cause of food poisoning, it is often the cause — in fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that norovirus causes more than 20 million cases of gastrointestinal illness every year in the U.S. There is no vaccine to prevent the illness, no treatment once the illness begins (antibiotics do not help viral infections), and a person does not develop immunity after they are infected.
How Do You Get Norovirus?
Anyone can get sick with the norovirus. The virus grows in an infected person’s gastrointestinal tract, and it is present in the vomit and diarrhea of a sick person. The virus is also present for up to three days after the person stops having symptoms. Transmission of the norovirus typically occurs when a healthy person gets the stool or vomit of an infected person in their mouth. This can happen by eating foods that have been prepared by an infected person, touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth, or having contact with an infected person.
How Does Norovirus Spread?
- On cruise ships
- In shellfish, oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops that are grown in contaminated water
- In youth camps, schools, or daycare centers
- In nursing homes
- On leafy greens (such as lettuce)
- Fresh fruits
- Any food that is served raw, undercooked, or handled after it is cooked could become contaminated with norovirus.
Norovirus Outbreaks on Cruise Ships
April 2015 — Over 200 people aboard two cruise ships docked in San Diego, California have likely been infected with Norovirus, a highly-contagious virus that causes diarrhea and vomiting. Click here to read more.
November 2014 — An outbreak of norovirus has sickened at least 172 passengers and crew members aboard a Crown Princess cruise ship from Los Angeles to Hawaii to Tahiti and back. This is the second outbreak on this ship this year — the last one was in April. Click here to read more.
June 2014 — The CDC Vital Signs Report warns that every year, 20 million Americans are infected with norovirus. Although norovirus is typically thought of as a “cruise ship bug,” only about 1% of outbreaks occur on cruise ships. Instead, most norovirus outbreaks involve food poisoning, and food-service workers are responsible for 70% of outbreaks. Click here to read more.
April 2014 — A suspected outbreak of norovirus on a Crown Princess cruise in California has sickened at least 104 passengers and 24 crew members. Passengers were quarantined in their cabins to prevent the spread of the illness. There have been five major outbreaks of norovirus on cruise ships this year, sickening over 1,000 people. The other outbreaks occurred in January and February and included: Holland America MS Veendam (124 people), the Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas (634 people), a Caribbean Princess (181 people), and a Norwegian Cruise (130 people). Click here to read more.
Symptoms of Norovirus
The norovirus causes a gastrointestinal disease called gastroenteritis, in which the stomach and intestines become inflamed. Most people recover from the illness within 1-3 days. The most common symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Body aches
- Headache
Complications of Norovirus
The most serious complication of norovirus infection is the risk of dehydration, which can be life-threatening for young children, older people, pregnant women, and people who have a weak immune system. The first symptoms of dehydration include decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up. To prevent dehydration, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to replace liquid that is lost during vomiting and diarrhea.
How to Reduce the Risk of Norovirus Food Poisoning
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water, especially after changing diapers, going to the bathroom, before eating or preparing food, or after caring for someone who is sick. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can kill some germs when hand washing is not available, but it is not a substitute for hand washing.
- Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces. After diarrhea or vomit touches a surface, immediately clean it using a commercial bleach product or by mixing 5-tbsp to 1.5 cups of bleach per 1 gallon of water.
- Wash contaminated laundry thoroughly. Avoid agitating the contaminated clothes, which could spread the virus. Wear rubber gloves or disposable gloves to avoid touching the virus. Wash clothes with detergent at the maximum cycle and then dry in a commercial dryer.
- Be careful during food preparation. Thoroughly cook oysters and shellfish before cooking, carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and wash your hands before preparing food. Do not prepare food for others if you are sick, and wait 3 days after you recover to prepare food.
- Avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth
Do I have a Norovirus Food Poisoning Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting norovirus induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with norovirus in an outbreak food poisoning, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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