Officials Investigating Chuck E. Cheese Norovirus Outbreak

WOODBURY (AP) - Washington County officials are investigating a norovirus outbreak that infected at least 30 people at a family restaurant in Woodbury.

Several patrons reported stomach illnesses last weekend after visiting the same Chuck E. Cheese location. The Washington County Public Health Department has since interviewed about 60 people and says half of them have reported getting sick.

An epidemiologist for the department says it has determined about 1,000 people were at the restaurant last weekend. The department is still trying to determine the cause of the virus, how it spread and how many people were infected.

Noroviruses are common causes of food poisoning and spread through contaminated surfaces, food and beverages. The illness causes abdominal pain, headaches, body aches, vomiting and diarrhea.

The Minnesota Department of Health has reported 43 outbreaks of norovirus since the beginning of November.