Investigation into D.C. Cobb’s gastrointestinal outbreak closes, with norovirus being identified as pathogen

An investigation into an outbreak at D.C. Cobb’s in McHenry, which led to 173 people who either ate or worked at the restaurant becoming ill between August and September, is closed, officials said.

The norovirus – which, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, causes diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain – was identified as the cause of the illness at D.C. Cobb’s, according to a news release sent Friday from the McHenry County Department of Health.

However, the source of the virus and how it got into the restaurant remains unknown.

The virus can spread “quickly from person to person or through contaminated items, and it cannot be treated with antibiotics,” according to the release.

Symptoms usually last between 24 and 48 hours.

The department’s investigation was launched in September after an initial 13 people reported becoming ill after eating at D.C. Cobb’s, located at 1204 N. Green St. Those who ate at the restaurant between Aug. 29 through Sept. 13 were asked to complete a survey.

That survey identified 173 ill individuals, made up of 168 patrons who ate at the restaurant between Aug. 29 and Sept. 16 and five staff members, who experienced vomiting or diarrhea, or both, results of the investigation show.

As a result of the outbreak, employees and officials at D.C. Cobb’s responded “quickly,” which reduced the transmission of illness tied to the outbreak, according to the release.

“The management of D.C. Cobb’s fully cooperated with the illness investigation team and continues to work with Division of Environmental Health staff to implement additional strategies to prevent future public health concerns,” said Patti Nomm, the county health department’s director of environmental health.