The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is working with the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) and the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) to investigate an outbreak of norovirus infection among individuals who became ill after attending the New Theatre Restaurant in Overland Park, Kan.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

KDHE, JCDHE, KDA and the City of Overland Park went to the New Theatre Restaurant on Friday, Jan. 29 to educate staff about norovirus, oversee cleanup and observe food safety practices. Following the visit, the New Theatre Restaurant contracted with a private firm that cleaned the entire facility with an EPA-registered disinfectant, which kills norovirus and is safe for food establishments.

So far during KDHE’s investigation, more than 600 individuals have reported illness. A majority of these reports were from people who attended the New Theatre Restaurant between Friday, Jan. 15 and Tuesday, Jan. 19. KDHE has not received any reports of people becoming ill who attended New Theatre after Wednesday, Jan. 27.

Norovirus is very contagious and symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. A person develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed and most people get better within one to three days. Norovirus is spread person to person (having contact with someone who is infected with norovirus), through contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. Persons who are ill with norovirus symptoms should not prepare food or care for other persons. The best way to prevent transmission of norovirus and other diseases is by proper hand washing.

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