Public health inspectors are reviewing restaurant practices following the outbreak

Illnesses among patrons of the Coho Café in Issaquah, WA, prompted an investigation by public health officials, which is now being reported.

Reports of sick people all had symptoms indicative of norovirus infection, according to the Seattle & King County Public Health Department. The department could not find a specific food or drink item that could have caused the outbreak, which has involved six people.

Symptoms reported by the sick people included vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and chills. No sick employees were found in the restaurant.

“Following the initial reports of illness, Environmental Health Investigators visited the restaurant on March 27, 2024. We instructed restaurant management to conduct a thorough cleaning and disinfection because we suspected norovirus, a common cause of gastrointestinal illness,” the report from the health department.

“During our visit, we observed an employee putting on gloves before washing his hands, a potential risk factor for the spread of disease. We had the employee wash their hands and discussed proper handwashing with the staff. We have also provided further information on preventing the spread of norovirus. Prevention measures include proper hand washing, avoiding bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods and appropriate cleaning and disinfection.”

Health department staff visited the restaurant again on April 10 and found that they had implemented proper cleaning and disinfection measures and that proper handwashing practices had been implemented.

The health department then received another report of sick people and Environmental Health Investigators visited the restaurant again on April 24. All restaurant employees were interviewed about symptoms of illness. Health inspectors also required all remaining staff to confirm to management that they were not sick before starting their next shift. We directed them to conduct a second round of deep cleaning and disinfection and assisted in updating their staff illness policies to meet Food Code requirements.

Health department staff reviewed the restaurant’s practice of allowing staff to return to work after becoming ill with a gastrointestinal illness. After symptoms resolve, staff should wait at least 24 hours before returning to work. If the illness is suspected to be norovirus, staff should wait at least 48 hours after symptoms have resolved before returning to work.

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