From Tacoma/Piece County Department of Health:
Update March 1, 2019
Since our last update, 13 more people have reported norovirus-like illness to the Health Department after they said they ate at Tijuana Taco. As of today, 51 customers have contacted us with reports of illness from this suspected norovirus outbreak.
We’ve collected samples from ill customers and restaurant employees for testing. We’ll report the findings of those lab tests once we have them, which could be in the next week or two.
Read the original post and our updates for more.
Update Feb. 28, 2019
The Health Department cleared Tijuana Taco to reopen late this morning. Employees met the required preopening steps to clean and sanitize the restaurant. The restaurant’s food truck also reopened. We closed Tijuana Taco yesterday because customers reported norovirus-like illness after they ate there. To date, we have reports of 38 ill customers from the suspected norovirus outbreak.
Since our last report, 33 more people reported getting ill after they ate at the restaurant. They all report getting sick Feb. 23 after they ate at the restaurant Feb. 22. Two restaurant employees who worked Feb. 22 also reported they got sick Feb. 23. The employees will get tested for norovirus.
We have found no connection to the suspected norovirus outbreak at California Tacos, which is also in Lakewood. Our investigation is ongoing.
If you ate at either restaurant and got sick, contact the Health Department at food@tpchd.org, report your illness online, or call (253) 798-4712.
Original Post Feb. 27, 2019
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is working with Tijuana Taco, 1005 Bristol Ave. SW, Lakewood, on a suspected norovirus outbreak. The Health Department closed the restaurant late this morning for at least 24 hours. Employees will clean and sanitize the food establishment to ensure the public is no longer at risk.
We also temporarily closed Tijuana Taco’s food truck. We do not have reports of norovirus on the truck, but all food for the truck comes from the restaurant.
Customers who ate at Tijuana Taco and became ill should contact the Health Department at food@tpchd.org, report your illness online, or call (253) 798-4712.
Five people from two households—three people in one household and two in the other—said they had norovirus-like symptoms Saturday (Feb. 23) after they ate at the restaurant Friday (Feb. 22). They reported their illness to us today. Two restaurant employees who worked Feb. 22 also reported they got sick Feb. 23. The employees will get tested for norovirus.
We have found no connection to the suspected norovirus outbreak at California Tacos, which is also in Lakewood. Our investigation is ongoing.
In addition to cleaning and sanitizing the restaurant, staff will throw out all ready-to-eat food ingredients like produce, bread, and cheese.
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