Northgate Restaurant Closed After Food Poisoning Outbreak

SEATTLE, WA - King County Public Health shuttered the Mama Stortini's restaurant in the Northgate area this week after a possible norovirus outbreak. The restaurant was closed on Tuesday, but reopened Thursday.

Public Health reported that 14 employees at the restaurant reported having norovirus-like symptoms in recent weeks. Fifteen patrons were sickened, according to Public Health. The restaurant underwent a cleaning after the closure on Tuesday.

Vice President of Operations Ken Batali told Patch that none of the employees who reported being sick ever came to work while showing symptoms. The local chain - with locations in Kent and Puyallup - has a policy for dealing with norovirus, Batali said, which includes requiring sick employees to stay at home. even after symptoms go away.

Norovirus causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other unpleasant symptoms. The virus is extremely hardy, and can live on hard surfaces for weeks. An infected person can remain contagious for several days after they stop showing symptoms.

Learn more about norovirus

Image courtesy Centers for Disease Control