Evanston’s Big Wig Tacos and Burritos Linked to Norovirus Outbreak
The Evanston Department of Health and Human Services is investigating the norovirus outbreak along with Northwestern University. Investigators learned that on Saturday, Nov. 18, people reported stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea after eating at an event at Big Wig Tacos & Burritos, which served $1 burritos to students at the university. The event was held last Saturday from 1 to 8 p.m. The Big Wig Tacos & Burritos location is located at 950 Church Street in downtown Evanston.
Soon after, the Evanston Department of Health and Human Services began receiving complaints, prompting an immediate inspection of Big Wig Tacos & Burritos. The department reviewed the restaurant’s cleaning and sanitizing procedures and found that the restaurant did have an employee health policy.
Everyone who dines at Big Wig Tacos & Burritos in Evanston on Saturday, November 18th is asked to fill out this questionnaire, regardless of whether they are sick.
When someone talks about the “stomach flu,” they are probably describing acute gastroenteritis caused by a type of norovirus, a member of the “calicivirus” family (family Caliciviridae). Norovirus is completely unrelated to the influenza virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that norovirus causes nearly 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis each year, making norovirus the leading cause of gastroenteritis in adults in the United States. Norovirus is highly contagious and spreads very quickly from infected people. It is genetically simple, evolves rapidly, and exposure to it does not result in lasting immunity.
Nature created a clever bug in norovirus. The norovirus’ blue orb structure is the protein that surrounds the virus’s genetic material. The virus attaches to the outside of intestinal cells and then transfers its genetic material into these cells. Once the genetic material is transferred, the norovirus multiplies, eventually killing human cells and releasing new copies of itself to attach to more cells lining the gut.
Due to its structure, the virus is also very stable in the environment and resistant to many disinfectants/disinfectants. This is a major concern for industries as diverse as healthcare, education, tourism, and food, shellfish, and produce. But most foodborne norovirus outbreaks occur in restaurants or institutional food service settings.
Norovirus: Marler Clark Food Safety Law Firm is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of norovirus outbreaks. Norovirus attorney Marler Clark has represented thousands of victims of norovirus and other foodborne illness outbreaks and has recovered more than $850 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the United States focusing solely on foodborne illness litigation. Our norovirus attorneys have litigated norovirus cases stemming from many food and restaurant outbreaks.
If you or a family member became infected with norovirus after consuming food and you are interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact a Marler Clark norovirus attorney for a free case evaluation.