Norovirus blamed for Chinn’s illnesses

The Cook County Department of Public Health has determined that norovirus is what caused 146 people to contract a gastrointestinal illness after eating at Bob Chinn’s Crab House in Wheeling.

Health department spokeswoman Amy Poore said their conclusion was based on stool samples of people who reported ill.

Norovirus is spread from person-to-person or by handling contaminated items or eating contaminated food. There is really no effective cure or vaccine for the illness, according to health officials.

The virus apparently is on the move in the suburbs with cases being reported in Schaumburg.

“There’s norovirus circulating everywhere in suburban Cook County,” Poore said. “We don’t have a source identified (for Chinn’s) at this moment, but it’s highly contagious. If someone shares a water glass, it’s that easy (to spread).”

Symptoms resemble what is popularly called “stomach flu,” diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and stomach cramps. Some people also get headaches and fatigue and others may run a low fever. While most people recover within a couple days, some, especially young children or the elderly, can get extremely sick and dehydrated, requiring hospitalization.

“Dehydration is a big problem, especially with the very young, elderly or people with an underlying health condition,” Poore said.

Poore said Chinn’s voluntarily complied with health department requirements before reopening Wednesday evening after being closed for a day.

“Whenever you have this kind of an outbreak, anything that had been prepared is discarded,” Poore said. “Everything is thoroughly sanitized and then it’s basically like starting fresh.

“We would not allow them to reopen, if there was a threat of transmission at that time.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way to avoid getting sick is to carefully wash your hands, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food. For more information, visit cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus.html.

Anyone who has recently eaten at Chinn’s and is experiencing gastrointestinal illness is asked to call (708) 633-8030.