Seattle King County Public Health is investigating an outbreak of norovirus-like illness associated with vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and chills at Il Terrazzo Carmine in Seattle.
We suspect raw oysters as the likely source of illness, however it is not uncommon for norovirus outbreaks to involve multiple contaminated food items, environmental surfaces and to spread from person to person.
Since April 4, 2022, 10 people from 3 separate meal parties reported becoming ill after eating food from the Il Terrazzo Carmine on April 2, 2022. We have not identified any ill employees.
Environmental Health Investigators visited the restaurant on April 5, 2022. We observed numerous improper food handling practices, including inadequate handwashing, inadequate use of barriers to prevent bare hand contact with ready to eat foods, lack of temperature controls, and risk of cross contamination. These violations are also risk factors for the spread of norovirus.
Based on these improper food handling practices, investigators closed the restaurant on April 5, 2022. The restaurant was required to complete a thorough cleaning and disinfection. All ready-to-eat foods processed before the restaurant was disinfected were discarded.
Environmental Health Investigators revisited the restaurant on April 7 to confirm proper cleaning and disinfection. The restaurant was reopened on April 7, 2022.
Investigators reviewed with restaurant management 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 —Investigators reviewed with restaurant management 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. including proper handwashing and preventing bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.
Investigators reviewed with restaurant management 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.
Canada reports: As of April 8, 2022, there have been 328 cases of norovirus and gastrointestinal illness linked to consumption of British Columbia oysters reported in the following provinces: British Columbia (293), Alberta (3), Saskatchewan (1), Manitoba (15) and Ontario (16). Individuals became sick between mid-January and early April 2022, and no deaths have been reported. Although not all cases of illness have been tested, testing of several cases has confirmed the presence of a norovirus infection.
The CDC reports: As of April 6, 2022, at least 103 norovirus illnesses have been reported from 13 states: CDC is working with state and local partners to determine a more accurate number of illnesses in this outbreak and will update this number as more information is gathered. FDA Advises Restaurants and Retailers Not to Serve or Sell Potentially Contaminated Raw Oysters from Canada.
States impacted (thus far): California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington. Thus far California reports (34), Hawaii reports (4), Minnesota reports (29) and Washington reports (36).
Washington: (36) The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has updated its advisory to Washington residents to not serve or eat certain oysters harvested from the south and central parts of Baynes Sound, British Columbia, Canada until further notice. The advisory is in alignment with the recent release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on a multi-state outbreak of norovirus illness linked to raw oysters. Twenty-six Washington residents have reported norovirus-like illness after eating oysters. Illnesses have been reported from residents of Clark, King, and Snohomish counties. Seattle King County Department of Health added 10 linked to oysters served at Il Terrazzo Carmine.
| Restaurant/venue/vendor | Meal date | Number ill | Suspected organism |
| Elliott’s Oyster House 1201 Alaskan Way Pier 56, Seattle |
3/13/2022 | 1 | Norovirus |
| The Pink Door 1919 Post Alley, Seattle |
3/15/2022 | 3 | Norovirus |
| The Pink Door 1919 Post Alley, Seattle |
3/15/2022 | 2 | Norovirus |
| Enzo’s Bistro & Bar 120 NW Gilman Blvd, Issaquah |
3/15/2022 | 2 | Norovirus |
| Taylor Shellfish 124 Republican St, Seattle |
3/17/2022 | 3 | Norovirus |
| Enzo’s Bistro & Bar 120 NW Gilman Blvd, Issaquah |
3/17/2022 | 2 | Norovirus |
| The Pink Door 1919 Post Alley, Seattle |
3/17/2022 | 4 | Norovirus |
| Goldfinch Tavern at Four Seasons Hotel 99 Union St, Seattle |
3/20/2022 | 2 | Norovirus |
| Goldfinch Tavern at Four Seasons Hotel 99 Union St, Seattle |
3/21/2022 | 3 | Norovirus |
| Shucker’s at Fairmont Olympic Hotel 411 University St, Seattle |
3/25/2022 | 1 | Norovirus |
| Ivar’s Acres of Clams 1001 Alaskan Way Ste. 102, Seattle |
3/25/2022 | 2 | Norovirus |
| Taylor Shellfish 1521 Melrose Ave, Seattle |
3/26/2022 | 1 | Norovirus |
California: (34) The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) warned consumers April 2, 2022, not to eat raw oysters from British Columbia, Canada because they may be linked to an outbreak of norovirus illnesses in California. In California, at least 34 persons have become ill following the consumption of oysters at nine restaurants located throughout the state. Illness has been reported from March 11 through 19, 2022.
Minnesota: (29) On April 1, 2022, the Minnesota Department of Health, Hennepin County Public Health, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are working with federal officials and public health agencies in other states and Canada to investigate norovirus illnesses associated with oysters. 29 Minnesotans have been sickened in this outbreak. They became ill with confirmed or suspected norovirus gastroenteritis after eating raw oysters at Travail Kitchen in Robbinsdale on March 20.
Hawaii: (4) Hawaiian Health officials are warning the public of a norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters from Canada that were distributed to restaurants and retailers in various U.S. states, including Hawaii, where several cases have been confirmed. The Hawaii Department of Health said as of late Tuesday, there have been four suspect cases of norovirus associated with raw oysters reported in the state. Three of the four suspect cases consumed raw oysters in Hawaii County, and one consumed raw oysters in Honolulu County, between March 8 and 22.
About Norovirus: Norovirus is a highly contagious virus and can be spread easily from person-to-person, through contaminated surfaces, and by eating contaminated food, including raw or undercooked oysters. Symptoms of norovirus usually begin 12 to 48 hours after a person has encounter the virus and can last for 1 to 3 days. Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps. People who develop symptoms of norovirus infection should consult their health care providers. Also, see: What do you need to know about Norovirus and Raw Oysters.
Norovirus makes its way into the marine environment through untreated human sewage (poop) and vomit. This may come from leaky septic systems, faulty wastewater treatment plants, boaters, or beachgoers. Shellfish are filter feeders, which means they filter seawater through their bodies to get food floating in the water. When norovirus particles are in the water, shellfish can accumulate the virus in their bodies. For a bit of history: A Baker’s Dozen of years of Oyster Norovirus Outbreaks.
Some oyster harvest areas in British Columbia that have been associated with illnesses in this outbreak have been closed as a part of the investigation. The CFIA has issued several food recalls throughout February, March, and April. For more information on the recalled products, please consult the Government of Canada’s Recalls and Safety Alerts website. Government of Canada Recalls and Safety Alerts:
Norovirus Lawyers and Attorneys: 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 $800 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.