An outbreak of norovirus among students at Northwestern University was possibly linked to a $1 burrito promotion at a local restaurant, say health officials in Evanston, Illinois.

An Evanston location of the Big Wig Tacos & Burritos chain offered a $1 promotion for Northwestern students on Saturday. 

When complaints of vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and other norovirus symptoms started coming in from people who had eaten the burritos, the Evanston Health and Human Services Department opened an investigation.

On Wednesday, EHHS announced the possible linkage between the promotion and the outbreak in a release published on the Evanston Roundtable nonprofit news organization’s website. 

Big Wig Tacos & Burritos, which has cooperated fully with the investigation, says it is not certain that its food caused the outbreak.

“While there have been reported cases, we are not certain that the outbreak originated at our restaurant. Prior to the event,  the Evanston Health Department completed a routine health inspection and found no issues with our establishment,” Big Wig Tacos & Burritos President Jose Estrada wrote in a Facebook post.

Mr. Estrada added that no restaurant employees had exhibited norovirus symptoms and that extra health and sanitation precautions were being taken to prevent viral transmission.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.