Skip to main content
Our website is changing! Starting March 31, 2023 our website will look different, but we're working hard to make sure you can still find what you need.  
King County logo
  1. Foodborne illness outbreak
  2. Taste ToGo Banh Mi

Norovirus-like illness associated with Taste ToGo Banh Mi in Kent

AT-A-GLANCE

  • Cases: 7
  • Hospitalizations: 0
  • Deaths: 0
  • Status: Investigation is in progress
  • Location: Taste ToGo Banh Mi, 18230 E Valley Hwy #153, Kent, WA 98032
  • Meal dates: February 26, 2023
  • Current inspection rating: Needs to Improve

Highlights

Update March 3, 2023

Summary

Public Health is investigating an outbreak of norovirus-like illness associated with vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and chills at Taste ToGo Banh Mi in Kent. We have not identified how norovirus was spread within the restaurant. This is not uncommon for norovirus outbreaks, because the virus can spread through multiple contaminated food items, environmental surfaces, and from person to person.

Illnesses

Seven people from 1 meal party reported becoming ill after purchasing food from Taste ToGo Banh Mi on February 26, 2023. The food was eaten on February 27, 2023, and all members of the meal party developed one or more symptoms consistent with norovirus-like illness, including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and chills.

We identified one ill employee who reported symptoms consistent with norovirus who worked on February 26 and 27, 2023.

Public Health actions

These illnesses were reported on March 2, 2023. Environmental Health Investigators visited the restaurant on March 3, 2023. Investigators identified inadequate access to hand washing facilities. The restaurant closed the same day to complete a thorough cleaning and disinfection.

Environmental Health Investigators will revisit the facility on Monday, March 6, 2023, to ensure proper compliance with food handling practices. The restaurant will reopen after reinspection and approval by Environmental Health.

Investigators reviewed with restaurant management the requirement that ill staff are not allowed to work until they are symptom-free for at least 48 hours and provided education about preventing the spread of norovirus — including proper handwashing and preventing bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods.

Laboratory testing

We do not have laboratory testing for the people who got sick. Often in norovirus outbreaks, no laboratory testing is done because people tend to get better within a day or two. Symptoms among those who got sick are suggestive of norovirus-like illness.

Report possible foodborne illness

About norovirus

  • Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that frequently spreads person-to-person and is often associated with food. Norovirus illness often has a sudden onset of nausea and vomiting and/or watery diarrhea with cramps. A low-grade fever, chills, and body aches sometimes occur.
  • Norovirus rarely causes severe complications. Dehydration is the most common complication, particularly among young children and the elderly. No vaccine is available for norovirus.

Prevention

General advice for reducing risk of contracting norovirus:

  • Wash hands, cutting boards, and counters used for food preparation immediately after use to avoid cross-contamination of other foods.
  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap after using the bathroom or changing diapers, and before preparing any food or eating.
  • Wait at least 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea before preparing any food for others.

More information about norovirus:

Link/share this page at kingcounty.gov/outbreak/taste-togo-bahn-mi