Renton Pizzeria Cleared After Suspected Norovirus Outbreak

RENTON, WA — King County public health investigators investigated a suspected food illness outbreak at a Renton pizza restaurant this week after nine people from two meal parties and three employees fell ill with suspected norovirus.

The virus is highly contagious and often associated with food, but rarely causes severe complications. Most common symptoms include sudden nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or cramps and clear up within a day or two.

According to Public Health - Seattle & King County, the two separate dining parties reported illnesses after eating at The Rock Wood Fired Pizza on North 10th Street after meals on Feb. 19 and Feb. 20. Public health investigators learned three employees reported similar symptoms around Feb. 20 but did not work shifts while they were ill.

An environmental health team visited the restaurant on Wednesday and investigators said they found no obvious risk factors that would contribute to the spread of norovirus, and the restaurant's most recent food safety rating was "good." The pizzeria closed on Wednesday to undergo a thorough cleaning and discarded all foods processed before disinfection, officials said.

The public health team reviewed norovirus prevention measures with restaurant management and cleared the restaurant for reopening on Thursday, Feb. 24.

Further updates on the investigation will be posted on the official incident page.