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Hotel customers sickened, permit suspended

Posted at 1:00 PM, Apr 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-18 21:02:20-04

Pinal County Health Services temporarily suspended the food permit at the Holiday Inn Casa Grande after multiple reports of foodborne illness.

The hotel, located at 777 North Pinal Avenue, was not allowed to serve food this past weekend after a number of people at a conference complained of sickness.  The county traced the source back to an employee who was ill

According to Graham Briggs, epidemiologist with Pinal County, no one has had to see a doctor and they suspect the illness may be norovirus.

"It is prudent to protect the public's safety, and therefore food service should be suspended during an investigation into the cause of the foodborne illnesses," Pinal County Director of Public Health Tom Schryer said.

Over the next 30 days, county health officials will work with the hotel to help it meet food safety requirements.  The county cleared it Monday evening to return to full service but plans to monitor the situation.  

Briggs said at least 10 people complained of symptoms and he expects more to come forward, experiencing fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramping 12 to 72 hours after being exposed. Symptoms last 4 to 7 days in most cases. 

If you ate at the Holiday Inn Casa Grande on North Pinal Avenue and became ill, you're encouraged to contact the Pinal County Public Health District hotline at (520) 866-4460.