Restaurant’s $1 burritos leave Northwestern University students with cramps, vomiting and diarrhea – as health department launches investigation

Students at Northwestern University say they became violently ill after eating $1 burritos at an Illinois restaurant.

The Evanston Health and Human Services Department has now launched an investigation after confirming the group had contracted norovirus.

Those affected ate on Nov. 18 at the Big Wig Tacos & Burritos restaurant near campus, where the burritos were sold exclusively to Northwestern students.

The health department said they began receiving complaints two days later of people experiencing vomiting, diarrhea and cramps.

According to the health department, the norovirus outbreak is linked to the burrito special. Big Wig has fully cooperated with the investigation.

Diners who ate at the restaurant were asked to complete a questionnaire if they had no symptoms.

Health officials inspected the Chicago restaurant chain’s cleaning and sanitizing procedures and found that they have an active health policy for their employees.

In a statement from the company, they said they are aware that norovirus outbreaks are becoming more common in university settings, and went on to “emphasize” their “commitment” to the health and well-being of our customers and employees.

They said they are “not sure” whether the outbreak originated from the restaurant or not, but have nevertheless taken appropriate measures “to address the situation.”

Following the incident, Big Wig said they have ensured the establishment has been fully disinfected, with immediate attention to areas more susceptible to virus transmission.

Employees at the restaurant are also being closely monitored for similar symptoms, but none have shown them.

The norovirus is best known as the stomach flu that can cause inflammation in the stomach or intestines and lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain.

According to the Center for Disease Control and PreventionNorovirus is “highly contagious” and known to spread “very easily” in multiple ways.

Some ways the virus can spread are through direct contact with someone who has norovirus, eating food or drinking liquids contaminated with it, or simply touching surfaces contaminated with it.

Symptoms can occur within 12 to 48 hours after a person contracts the virus and typically begin to improve within one to three days.

The CDC reported that the virus is most contagious when you have symptoms and during the first few days after someone starts feeling better.

Northwestern University students (pictured) experienced diarrhea, vomiting and cramps after eating $1 burritos from Big Wig Tacos & Burritos

Big Wig said they are ‘not sure’ whether the outbreak originated from the restaurant or not, and that they have fully cooperated with the investigation

“However, research has shown that you can still spread norovirus for two weeks or more after you feel better,” the CDC said.

The virus can be prevented by washing hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly.

CBS News Chicago reported that when they stopped by the location on Wednesday, the restaurant “appeared to be closing for the day.”

Last month, a restaurant in Maine warned customers that they may have been exposed to Hepatitis A after it was spread by an infected employee.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said an employee at Marco’s Italian Restaurant in Lewiston, Maine, came to work for several days last month while infected with the disease.

There have been no reported cases of customers or other employees contracting Hepatitis A.