34 people get sick after party

NORWALK — Huron County Public Health was informed by a member of the public that abouty 34 individuals who attended a private party in Norwalk on Saturday fell ill with a gastrointestinal illness beginning the same day. HCPH's Epidemiologist and Environmental Health Division are actively investigating the report and trying to determine a cause of illness. Ill individuals have submitted stool samples to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) for testing. Some of the food served at the event was purchased through a licensed food facility; an inspection of the facility was completed by HCPH's Registered Environmental Health Specialist on Tuesday. Samples of food served at the private event and samples of food collected directly from the licensed facility have also been sent to ODH for testing. HCPH hopes to have test results by the end of the week; at present, no specific cause of illness or infectious disease agent have been determined. No further information will be released at this time.