Title: Norovirus Outbreak at Raleigh’s Sushi Nine Leaves Hundreds Ill
Word Count: 372 words
Raleigh, NC – A recent outbreak of norovirus at Sushi Nine has left hundreds of people feeling unwell, with a total of 241 individuals reporting sickness after dining at the popular restaurant between November 28 and December 5. Health officials quickly intervened, conducting interviews with 170 customers and conducting stool sample tests on three individuals. Shockingly, all three stool samples came back positive for norovirus.
Norovirus, a highly contagious virus, is typically spread through contaminated surfaces, food, and person-to-person contact. Its symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, nausea, headache, fever, body aches, and dehydration, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those who experienced these symptoms after visiting Sushi Nine during the specified period are encouraged to contact Wake County Public Health.
The first case was reported on December 1, prompting an immediate investigation by Wake County officials. Concerned about the safety of their customers, Sushi Nine voluntarily shut its doors on December 5 for a thorough deep cleaning, ensuring that all possible traces of the virus were eradicated. The restaurant reopened three days later, but the source of the outbreak remains unknown. As customers consumed various items from the menu, health officials are yet to pinpoint the exact culprit behind the outbreak.
Thankfully, since the reopening, no additional cases have been reported, indicating that the cleaning measures taken by Sushi Nine were successful in eliminating the virus. However, health authorities caution that it is important to remain vigilant as norovirus is highly contagious and can easily reappear.
To prevent future outbreaks, the several measures have been recommended. Frequent handwashing, thorough cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces, proper washing and cooking of food, and avoiding handling food while sick are key preventative measures. In addition, individuals should wait at least two days after the resolution of symptoms before engaging in healthcare or food preparation for others. It is also advised to immediately wash clothes or items that have been in contact with a sick individual.
In unrelated news, North Carolina recently reported five cases of West Nile virus. For more information on norovirus or to learn about preventative measures, visit Mix247edm’s website [here](link).
