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HIS COMPANY WILL ALSO HAVE TO PAY $225 MILLION IN A FEDERAL SETTLEMENT. STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF A RECENT OUTBREAK OF THE NOROVIR AMONG GUESTS AT A PRIVATE FUNCTION AT THE PURITAN BACKROOM RESTAURANT IN MANCHESTER. IN LATE NOVEMBER, NEARLY TWENTY PEOPLE GOT SICK AND IT WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE DEATH OF ONE PERSON. AN INVESTIGATION FOUND NOTHING IMPROPER, AND THERE WAS NO

Advertisement Health officials unable to determine source of Manchester norovirus outbreak 18 attendees, 2 workers sickened after private event at Puritan Backroom’s Conference Center Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Heath officials were unable to determine the source of a 2019 norovirus outbreak that led to 20 illnesses and one death, officials with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said in a report issued Thursday.>> Download the FREE WMUR appOfficials classified the outbreak as being of an “indeterminate origin” because the evidence collected during the investigation did not point to any typical contamination sources, which include food, water, humans, the environment or animals.There were 45 guests at the private event the Sunday before Thanksgiving at the Puritan Backroom’s Conference Center. Eighteen attendees and two staff members became ill with gastrointestinal issues. Several later tested positive for norovirus.>> Read the full report (.pdf)A person from Hillsborough County died days after the event, and the state’s medical examiner reported in December norovirus was a contributing cause of the person’s death.Health officials interviewed several attendees and workers during the investigation.>> CDC information: NorovirusThey said that there was no “statistically significant” food item associated with the outbreak, and no food service workers reported getting sick. Officials also said that none of the guests reported being sick in the week prior to the event or on the day of the event itself.“However, the investigation relied on the information that people are able to recall and willing to share and the possibility that an ill attendee or ill food service worker introduced norovirus to the event cannot be excluded,” officials said in the report.While no outbreak source was identified, officials did issue some recommendations, including that all people should wash hands thoroughly and frequently, anyone experiencing gastrointestinal issues should remain at home for 48 hours, food service establishments should ensure there is ready access to hot water and soap, and food service workers should report information about their health if necessary.WMUR reached out to the Puritan Backroom for comment, but we have not yet heard back from them. In December, restaurant manager Eric Zink released this statement regarding the norovirus investigation, which was ongoing at the time:"The Manchester Health Department visited the Puritan in response to an event that was hosted in the Conference Center on November 24th. Of the 46 guests that attended the event, the Health Department told us 18 guests later became ill, including one guest who sadly passed away from unidentified causes. We have communicated our condolences to the family and we express our deepest sympathies in this difficult time."Promoting public health and excellent food safety practices are top priorities of the Puritan. We have been in contact with the Manchester Health Department in the past month and appreciate their prompt attention to this concerning situation. As soon as we were contacted by the Health Department, they performed an inspection and did not identify any public health concerns. According to the state's conclusions communicated to us by email, 'Outbreak of norovirus due to indeterminate transmission -- no ill food handlers or attendees at the time of the event, and no statistically significant food items were identified.'"The expertise and insight the Health Department has provided, along with that of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, is so crucial to evaluate information and ensure best practices. The Puritan is confident that we are doing everything we can to maintain those safe and best practices everyday. We will continue to work with public health officials and thank them for their diligent response."To read the full report from health officials, visit this link. Common symptoms of norovirus include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. Most people get better in a couple of days, but norovirus can lead to dehydration in young children, older adults and people with other illnesses.The best way to prevent getting sick is for people to wash their hands with soap and water regularly and especially before handling food or after using the bathroom.--