Seattle King County Public Health investigated an outbreak of norovirus-like illness with vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, chills, and fever associated with Brave Horse Tavern in Seattle.

Since November 27, 2019, 30 people from 5 meal parties reported becoming ill after consuming food and drinks from Brave Horse Tavern on November 23 and 24, 2019.

We identified at least 11 employees who experienced symptoms consistent with norovirus dating back to November 24, 2019. At least 2 employees had 2 total household members with symptoms dating back to November 20, 2019.

Environmental Health investigators visited the restaurant on November 27, 2019. Investigators learned of multiple employees who had been ill with norovirus-like illness.

The restaurant closed on November 27, 2019, and completed a thorough cleaning and disinfection. All ready-to-eat foods processed before the restaurant was disinfected were discarded. The restaurant was reopened on November 29, 2019. Restaurant management also voluntarily conducted a thorough cleaning and disinfection of Trattoria Cuoco, a neighboring restaurant under the same management, which shares freezer space with Brave Horse Tavern.

Investigators reviewed the requirement that ill staff are not allowed to work until they are symptom-free for at least 48 hours, and provided education about preventing the spread of norovirus — including proper handwashing and preventing bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

We do not have laboratory results for the people who got sick. Often in norovirus outbreaks, no laboratory testing is done. Symptoms among those who got sick are suggestive of norovirus.

Norovirus:  Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Norovirus outbreaks. The Norovirus lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Norovirus and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $700 million for clients.  Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our Norovirus lawyers have litigated Norovirus cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a number of food products and restaurants.

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