Contact: Judy Crouch-Smolarek, Director, (920) 886-6155

Neenah Department of Public Health Announces Temporary Closure of Local Restaurant Due to Foodborne Illness

City health officials are investigating an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness that has sickened many people after visiting Cousins Subs on Green Bay Road in the past several days.  Neenah Health Department officials first became aware of possible cases mid day Thursday.

"Due to the number of people who have fallen ill, including some employees, the restaurant has voluntarily closed," said Directory Judy Crouch-Smolarek.  "The restaurant will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized and will re-open when they meet the necessary requirements of the Neenah Health Dept."

Health officials believe norovirus is the cause of the foodborne illness.  Norovirus is a virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, often referred to as "stomach flu".  However, noroviruses are completely unrelated to influenza, which is a respiratory virus.

Symptoms can appear from 12 to 60 hours after exposure to the virus, but usually occur within 24 to 48 hours.  The most common symptoms of norovirus is a sudden onset of vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and headache.  The symptoms occur in all age groups, but vomiting is more common in children.  Many persons also experience low-grade fever, chills, muscle aches and fatigue.  Norovirus is typically not life-threatening and does not generally cause long-term effects.  There is no treatment for the illness.  Most people recover in 2 or 3 days after they become ill.  Persons with continuing illness, should consult their primary care provider.

"We want people to be aware that norovirus can be highly contagious and that thorough hand washing following toilet use and before handling food is the best way to prevent the spread of these viruses," added Director Crouch-Smolarek.

For more information about norovirus, see the attached fact sheet.