Dozens Fall Ill After Event at Orland Park Banquet Hall

ORLAND PARK, IL — A holiday party turned disastrous for nearly 100 revelers who attended a Dec. 9 event at an Orland Park facility.

The partygoers — who accounted for nearly half of those at Orland Chateau, 14500 S. LaGrange Road — were struck by violent vomiting and other digestive issues 24 hours after attending the event.

Though not yet confirmed, the Cook County Department of Public Health believes the highly contagious norovirus is to blame.

"I was laying on the bathroom floor. I was afraid to leave the bathroom because of severe, violent vomiting and other issues that entail staying in the bathroom," Palos Hills resident Bonnie Piet Ryniec told ABC-7.

Norovius is spread quickly via contaminated food and surfaces, in addition to person-to-person contact. It is known as the leading cause of illness and outbreaks from contaminated food in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most outbreaks occur in the food service settings like restaurants. It can spread quickly in closed quarters.

There's no quick fix for norovirus; antibiotics don't help due to its viral nature. Anyone affected should drink lots of fluids to keep from being dehydrated. Most of the guests were feeling better by Tuesday, ABC7 reports.

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