Illness investigation concludes

It is a sigh of relief for employees at the Best Western Ashland House and Morton Rotarians.

After about 65 Rotarians reported feeling flu-like symptoms May 8 following a weekly luncheon at the Best Western Ashland House in Morton, an investigation by the Tazewell County Health Department was finalized and details were released Thursday.

“The investigation by the Tazewell County Health Department and Illinois Department of Public Health into an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness among members and guests of the Morton Rotary Club has been completed. The investigation showed that the pattern of illness is consistent with a norovirus-like illness,” a press release from the health department stated.

“Tazewell County Health Department’s investigation included interviews with the 102 people who attended the Rotary Club meeting or worked at Ashland House banquet facility May 6. Investigation and assessment of food sources, food preparation practices, food service practices and statistical analysis of data collected during the investigation were also conducted,” the statement said.

Of the people who were interviewed, 52 percent became ill with symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea.

“Statistical evidence from the epidemiological investigation indicates that those who ate the Caesar salad served at the luncheon were at significantly greater risk of becoming ill compared to those who did not eat the Caesar salad,” the press release added.

The source of the illness remains unknown. No food samples were available for laboratory testing. The release from the health department said a variety of situations could have led to the outbreak.

“It is unknown whether ingredients used in preparation of the food served may have been contaminated prior to purchase by the banquet facility, if the ingredients may have been contaminated during preparation or serving, or whether food service utensils may have been contaminated by someone while serving themselves at the buffet,” the release stated.

Matt Nash, general manager of the Best Western Ashland House said he was pleased by the information from the health department.

“It takes the weight off of us,” Nash said. “We were confident all along that it wasn’t something that we did.”

The absence of information during the health department’s investigation may have cost the Best Western Ashland House, which offers hotel rooms, banquet services and maintains Paddy O’Flaherty’s Irish pub.

“We did take a hit over the last couple of weeks with not knowing,” Nash said.

He said revenue in the restaurant, the banquet facility and hotel stays were down.

Nash suspects rumors may have led to that drop in business.

“In the absence of information, people make things up,” he said, adding he heard a variety of rumors, most involving food poisoning.

“We want to get the word out to people that we work with or have worked with,” Nash said. “We’re still here. And, it’s OK to eat here.”

Nash said he and the staff at the Best Western Ashland House feel relieved.

“At first, we were kind of shocked that it was going on,” Nash said. “It’s disheartening because we’ve got a pretty passionate staff and a pretty dedicated staff.

“It’s nice to be vindicated in a way that it’s not something that they did,” he added.

Nash said there was some “morale boosting” during the period of the unknown.

“We came together as a team and got through it,” he said. “All in all, we’re stronger because we went through it as a team.”

Amy Tippey, director of health at the Tazewell County Health Department, noted the full cooperation of the Ashland House and its employees.

“(The) Tazewell County Health Department appreciates the assistance of the Ashland House Banquet Facility and the Morton Rotary,” Tippey said in a press release. “This cooperation led to a timely investigation.

“As in this investigation, it is common for investigators to be unable to identify the organism or the way it was spread,” she added.