Students struck down with norovirus outbreak after $1 burrito event
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that affects people of all ages
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Students at Northwestern University have been struck down with norovirus after a dollar-burrito event was held on campus.
The Evanston Health and Human Services Department launched an investigation after students complained of stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea following a $1 burrito event at Big Wig Tacos & Burritos last Saturday, the department said.
Big Wig Tacos & Burritos have fully cooperated with the investigation, the department added, which included an inspection of the restaurant and a review of the employee health policy and cleaning and sanitizing procedures.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that affects people of all ages. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and nausea, which develop 12 to 48 hours after being exposed, the health department said.
Symptoms typically dissipate within one to three days, the health department added.
Norovirus can spread through direct contact, as well as through eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with the virus and touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Contracting norovirus can be prevented by washing hands thoroughly and often with soap and water.
About 48 million people a year in the U.S. are sickened by foodborne illness, including 128,000 who are hospitalized and 3,000 who die, according to the CDC.
In 2020, Mexican fast-food chain Chipotle was fined $25m over the poisoning of more than 1,100 customers across the US with norovirus between 2015 and 2018.
The fine was the largest ever recorded for a food safety case in the US.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments