The Nantucket Grill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has been identified as the source of an outbreak of the norovirus, according to the Legal Examiner. Forty-one people have reported getting sick after they ate at the restaurant or at an event it catered, the article states.
Symptoms of the virus include:
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Lethargy
- Low fever
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
The virus can be more serious in young children and older adults. There are no limits to the number of times someone can be infected by the virus. A primary concern for patients who contract the virus is dehydration caused by diarrhea and vomiting.
The virus, which is extremely contagious, can be spread by people who are infected and by contaminated food, water or surfaces. There is no treatment for the illness because viruses are usually untreatable.
The illness causes acute gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the country, leading to nearly 70,000 hospitalizations and affecting about 21 million persons a year.
The virus is the second most common cause of gastroenteritis that kills people, taking the lives of 800 people annually. It is the most common source of food-borne outbreaks of disease in the country.
There are two other Nantucket Grill restaurants, one in Durham and another in Raleigh. No cases have been reported coming from either of these, however.
An investigation into the cause of the outbreak is continuing.
Norovirus is not related to the flu, which is caused by the influenza virus. The best way to prevent the virus from spreading is to practice proper hand washing and general cleanliness.
If you or someone you love was severely sickened by food poisoning, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for your damages. To speak with a Raleigh personal injury lawyer about a possible case, please contact Kelly & West today.
