Gastroenteritis Outbreak At Seattle Waterfront Seafood Restaurant: King County

SEATTLE, WA - King County health officials recently investigated an apparent gastroenteritis outbreak at The Crab Pot, a popular seafood restaurant located at Pier 57 along the Seattle waterfront.

Health officials say that five people from the same party were sickened after eating at The Crab Pot on March 4. Although not confirmed by laboratory tests, health officials say the symptoms, which include vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, are consistent with norovirus.

The health department visited The Crab Pot to to discuss norovirus control measures; additionally, the department found a violation at the restaurant related to hand-washing facilities, which the department said can lead to the spreading of norovirus.

The Crab Pot has cooperated with the health department, and completed a cleaning and disinfection of the restaurant. The health department did not locate any sick employees.

Although norovirus spreads easily through contact with food, the virus can be contracted in a number of different ways, including touching contaminated surfaces and by inhaling particles of the virus.

In recent weeks, a number of Puget Sound-area establishments ranging from schools to restaurants to a trampoline gym have been hit by norovirus-like illnesses. A Seattle elementary school was closed for several days earlier this month due to an outbreak. You can catch norovirus at any time of year, but cases tend to increase in the winter due to people being indoors in close contact.

Patch.com has reached out to The Crab Pot for comment and we will update this story as soon as we hear from them.

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