60 Parker's diners become ill
Thursday, June 7, 2007 11:54 PM PDT
By Janine Manny
Printable version
E-mail this articleThe Cowlitz County Health Department is investigating an outbreak of gastroenteritis that has sickened more than 60 people who ate at Parker's Restaurant in Longview in the last week.
Customers began reporting symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea on Monday. Most have reported recovering within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Owner Tony Parker said he was told that symptoms were possibly caused by the Norwalk Virus, but that has not yet been confirmed by the health department. CCHD officials are waiting for lab reports to determine the cause of the illness.
"We're working diligently with the health department," Parker said Thursday. "A germ got in our building. It's absolutely not in our food. It is not a problem with our employees. If whoever was sick had walked into Fred Meyer or went to a baseball game, people there would have gotten sick, too. There is nothing those businesses could do, and there was nothing I could have done to prevent this."
Parker said thousands of people had eaten in the restaurant and only a few had felt ill. He said that he has voluntarily closed his restaurant for a few days. He said he asked health department officials to spend time with him at the restaurant to make sure he was doing nothing wrong.
"Owning a restaurant has been a lifelong passion for me," Parker said. "All of our life is in this business. We're taking this very hard. We work seven days a week to make sure things are perfect."
Parker said he comes from a restaurant family, and that his restaurant exceeds every requirement of the health department.
His goal, he said, is to please all his customers, down to the last happy kid.
"We want them to be our next generation of friends and customers," he said. "We'll reopen as soon as we can, stronger than ever. We're here for the long run."
Anyone who dined at Parker’s between May 29 and Thursday and is experiencing symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea is asked to contact the Cowlitz County Health Department’s investigation line at (360) 423-1249.
"We are very pleased at the cooperation we've received from the restaurant on this investigation," said Dr. Mimi Fields, Cowlitz County Health Officer. "Our goal is to protect the public, and therefore the restaurant will be temporarily closed until we are confident that the problem has been eliminated and there are no further health threats."
"The Parkers have been exemplary in their cooperation with the health department. Parker's has always scored extremely well with all health department food service inspections. Clearly they are committed to the well-being of the community and look forward to continuing to provide fine dining to the people of Cowlitz County." Carlos Carreon, Health and Human Services Departments Director said.
There have been no reported hospitalization or deaths associated with the outbreak. Anyone whose symptoms last longer than 24 to 48 hours, who experience severe symptoms or who notice blood in their stools should seek medical attention. If ill, refrain from going to work until symptoms have been cleared for three days.
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