There’s a perception that there are more outbreaks around the holidays because folks don’t know how to cook turkey. The epidemiology isn’t all that strong around amateur bird preparation and illnesses –  but there are a lot of parties and potluck/covered dish dinners this time of year.

And it’s also noro season. 

According to Planet Princeton, over 30 people reported illnesses to health authorities after eating at the Nassau Inn over Thanksgiving – and it looks like norovirus.

The Princeton Health Department received 30 reports between Thanksgiving and Tuesday of individuals experiencing gastrointestinal illnesses.

All 30 people ate at the restaurant at the Nassau Inn on Thanksgiving or the day after the holiday, Princeton Health Officer Jeffrey Grosser said. Many of the people also ate at other restaurants during the time period.

Laboratory testing has not yet confirmed the cause of the illnesses yet, but Grosser said the Norovirus is suspected in most or all of reported cases because of the symptoms and the time frame for the onset of symptoms and the recovery. 

“All the phone calls we received were similar in terms of where people ate, when people became ill (Thursday and Friday) and when they started feeling better (Sunday and Monday),” Grosser said.

An inspection of the restaurant at the hotel only revealed minor issues that can easily be rectified. Grosser said the issues did not cause the illnesses.