CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Cowfish has voluntarily closed again after three more guests who visited the restaurant after they reopened Sunday fell ill.
The Mecklenburg County Health Department said Monday they believe the Norovirus is likely what caused the illnesses at the restaurant.
The burgushi restaurant in SouthPark first reported their closing to the public via their Facebook page on Saturday.
The owner of the restaurant said they immediately contacted the Mecklenburg County Health Department in reference to the new reports of illness.
The owner says they will remain closed at least through Sunday to allow time for a professional cleaning company to sanitize the restaurant again, and ensure all potential sources of the suspected virus have been eliminated.
Here is the entire statement from Alan Springate, the owner of The Cowfish:
The Cowfish has decided to voluntarily close again in response to reports of illness from three guests who visited our restaurant after we reopened on Sunday. We received these reports today and immediately notified the Mecklenburg County Health Department. We will remain closed at least through Sunday to allow time for a professional cleaning company to sanitize the restaurant again, and ensure all potential sources of the suspected virus have been eliminated. We also will continue to work with health officials to be sure we are doing everything possible to protect the health and safety of our guests and employees. We appreciate the support we have received from our guests and the diligence of our staff. Again, we want to express our sincere apology to everybody who has been affected by this regrettable situation.
LEARN MORE ABOUT NOROVIRUS (info from the CDC):
Norovirus is a very contagious virus. You can get norovirus from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. The virus causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed (acute gastroenteritis). This leads you to have stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea and to throw up.
Anyone can be infected with norovirus and get sick. Also, you can have norovirus illness many times in your life. Norovirus illness can be serious, especially for young children and older adults.
Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States. Each year, it causes 19-21 million illnesses and contributes to 56,000-71,000 hospitalizations and 570-800 deaths. Norovirus is also the most common cause of foodborne-disease outbreaks in the United States.
The best way to help prevent norovirus is to practice proper hand washing and general cleanliness.
SYMPTOMS (info from the CDC):
Norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach or intestines or both. This is called acute gastroenteritis.
The most common symptoms:
diarrhea
throwing up
nausea
stomach pain
Other symptoms:
fever
headache
body aches
If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill and throw up or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses.
A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days.
Symptoms of dehydration:
decrease in urination
dry mouth and throat
feeling dizzy when standing up
Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.
TREATMENT (info from the CDC):
There is no specific medicine to treat people with norovirus illness. Norovirus infection cannot be treated with antibiotics because it is a viral (not a bacterial) infection.
If you have norovirus illness, you should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost from throwing up and diarrhea. This will help prevent dehydration.
Sports drinks and other drinks without caffeine or alcohol can help with mild dehydration. But, these drinks may not replace important nutrients and minerals. Oral rehydration fluids that you can get over the counter are most helpful for mild dehydration.
Dehydration can lead to serious problems. Severe dehydration may require hospitalization for treatment with fluids given through your vein (intravenous or IV fluids). If you think you or someone you are caring for is severely dehydrated, call the doctor.
