Health department investigates illnesses

The Minnesota Department of Health is investigating why several people reportedly became ill this week after attending a fundraising event Sunday at a Baxter church.

About 275 people attended the New Pathways Inc. fundraiser at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Baxter.

"The report was such that it indicated that a number of people became ill at this event," Doug Schultz, MDH spokesperson, said Friday night of the report made Thursday to the health department that launched the investigation. "We're still in the process of determining how many people became ill."

The banquet was catered by Prairie Bay Restaurant in Baxter.

Schultz said environmental health staff members are working with the restaurant to make sure they are operating safely and interviewing employees to determine whether any employees have been ill.

He said epidemiologists also are working with the restaurant to determine what food was served while St. Paul staff members are trying to find out who attended the event and whether they became ill.

Schultz said there are several possibilities what may have happened. "We have to check out all the possibilities," he said.

For instance, he said someone ill at the event could have contaminated the food, depending on how it was served.

Schultz said the preliminary investigation indicates the illness may be norovirus, which can cause acute gastroenteritis in people. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain.

The fundraising event included dinner as well as other activities, including a silent auction.

Prairie Bay's involvement in the New Pathways event was to serve a hot-line, buffet-style simple menu of chicken, potatoes, vegetable and salads - a tossed salad and a pasta salad. Prairie Bay also donated labor to service the buffet line.

In a statement Friday night, Nick Miller, Prairie Bay general manager, said, "At Prairie Bay, our relationship with the community is crucial. We are confident in our products and preparation and just as alarmed as you are to be connected to this situation. Prairie Bay is doing, and has done, everything it can to resolve the issue by contacting our food providers immediately, communicating with our partners at the off-site, nonprofit event, removing any food associated with the event and fully cooperating with the Minnesota Department of Health.

"There are many unknowns at this point and we are waiting for answers as well. Prairie Bay can promise this, we are here to provide a great dining experience for all our customers, new and loyal, and we take that job very seriously and are proud of what we do."

Miller noted, "We partnered with Lakewood Church and New Pathways. We handled the hot food end of it."

Volunteers from churches set and cleared the tables as well as handled the ice and served beverages.

"Every member of our staff was interviewed by the health department and no one was ill," Miller said.

Miller said the staff at Prairie Bay takes this situation seriously and that when he heard of people becoming ill by a New Pathways representative, he encouraged that person to contact the state health department.

Dan Werthman, senior pastor at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church, said, "We are cooperating fully with the Minnesota Department of Health in their investigation. It is my understanding the caterer is as well. We certainly are distressed by the fact that anybody became ill by this wonderful banquet and fundraiser."

A spokesperson with New Pathways could not be reached for comment.

New Pathways Inc., a nonprofit organization, ministers families in a variety of ways, one of those ways is through the Interfaith Hospitality Network, which ministers to homeless.

KATHI NAGORSKI may be reached at kathi.nagorski@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5859.