Link to Summary Summary
Public Health investigated an outbreak of norovirus associated with Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar in Bellevue. Norovirus spreads easily through contaminated food, surfaces, and from person to person.
This outbreak appears to be over, and our investigation is complete.
Link to Illnesses Illnesses
Since October 22, 2025, 16 people reported becoming sick after dining at the restaurant on October 18, 2025. The sick people were part of two separate, large meal groups. Sick people reported symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, chills, and headache.
We also found multiple restaurant workers who reported being sick with signs consistent with norovirus dating back to October 8, 2025.
Link to Public Health actions Public Health actions
On October 24, 2025, we visited the restaurant and found several problems that could increase the risk of spreading norovirus.
These problems included:
- No clear system to prevent workers from working when sick
- No process to notify Public Health when they learn about customers getting sick after eating at the restaurant
- Workers touching ready-to-eat foods with bare hands instead of using gloves or utensils
- Handwashing stations not properly stocked with supplies like paper towels
- Some uncleaned food surfaces or surfaces not sanitized properly
The restaurant cooperated with Public Health and voluntarily closed on October 24 to fix these issues. They did a deep clearing of the kitchen and dining area. After a follow-up inspection confirmed they fixed these issues, the restaurant was allowed to reopen on October 27, 2025.
We provided training on food safety and restaurant sanitation, instructions to make sure workers don’t work while sick, and described how to report to Public Health when they hear about customers becoming sick after eating at their restaurant. On November 4, 2025, we returned to the restaurant to ensure proper cleaning, disinfection, and handwashing practices were being followed. We found that the restaurant was following the proper food safety practices.
Link to Laboratory testing Laboratory testing
Two of the people who became sick tested positive for norovirus.