60 journalists contract norovirus GI at awards banquet

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – About 60 journalists fell ill last Wednesday at the San Diego Society of Professional Journalists awards banquet at the Bali Hai restaurant.

County health officials announced Tuesday that the journalists tested positive for the Norovirus GI. 

"Three out of three specimens taken from ill individuals and tested at the county of San Diego Public Health Laboratory were found to have this virus,'' said Dr. Eric McDonald, medical director of epidemiology and immunizations services for the county Health and Human Services Agency, in an email to City News Service.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus is highly contagious and can be contracted from an infected person, consuming contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.

The virus causes the stomach and intestines to become inflamed, leading to stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea.

Norovirus is frequently blamed for sickening passengers on cruise ships.

No restaurant patrons outside of the SPJ event are known to have become sick.