After a thorough investigation, a cafe in the campus of Carnegie Mellon University has reopened Wednesday, a week after forty people from the university were hospitalized after allegedly dining in the popular dining place.
A norovirus infection is suspected to be the cause of the illnesses though confirmation from health experts in Pittsburgh is still needed. The health department also recorded a violation against proper use of equipment as a kitchen tool which is suppose to only warm soup was used to reheat it.
Fifteen of the hospitalized are students in the Pennsylvania university and diagnosed with "gastrointestinal distress," something they blame from eating either the soup or sandwiches in La Prima Espresso at Wean Hall, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported.
Gastrointestinal distress refers to the delayed emptying of the stomach and small intestines, as stated in Endurace Doc. Some symptoms of gastrointestinal distress are diarrhea, nausea, cramping, vomiting and bloating.
Two of the cafe's employees were also sent to the hospital.
At the height of the controversy, the establishment was reportedly shut down as investigations as to the cause of the alleged food poisoning however Ken Walters, spokesperson for the administration of Carnegie Mellon University, refuted the report, saying that it is still open but with a limited menu. An email sent to Carnegie Mellon students support this statement as it said that La Prima" only "removed certain food items from their menu" as a precaution.
News outlets have tried reaching the owner of La Prima Espresso for comments but the efforts have been futile so far, Lancaster Online reported.
The university's health services is still working with Allegheny County Health Department in looking to see if there are more people affected by gastrointestinal distress or any symptom so they may be treated as well.
Updates will be posted on the school's official website.
