Groom who ate at Sushi Nine before rehearsal dinner files lawsuit

The first lawsuit has been filed in the cases of norovirus linked to a Raleigh restaurant.

A groom claims that he got ill after eating at Sushi Nine, at 3812 Western Blvd., with members of his family on Nov. 29. The lawsuit alleges that Austin Freels was so sick he had to leave his wedding rehearsal dinner for the hospital and continued to feel the effects of norovirus throughout his wedding weekend.

Wake County Environmental Services began investigating foodborne illnesses linked to Sushi Nine earlier this month.

The first cases were reported on Nov. 30, and the restaurant closed voluntarily for 48 hours for a deep clean. It has since reopened.

The exact cause of the outbreak is still a mystery. Customers reported nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Freels said he lost 8 pounds. In the lawsuit, he describes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramping, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, severe abdominal pain and dehydration.

He is suing for Sushi Nine to pay his medical bills along with wage loss, travel expenses and for his emotional distress.

"Unfortunately, norovirus can spread very easily, especially during holiday gatherings and parties, which include a lot of meal prep and catering," Wake County Public Health Director Rebecca Kaufman said.

Wake County is interviewing more than 200 customers who ate at Sushi Nine between Nov. 29 and Dec. 5 as part of an ongoing investigation into how the illness spread to so many people. Stool samples collected from three people have tested positive for norovirus, a contagious virus that causes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain, among other symptoms. The tested sample is a small percentage of those who became ill, but the Wake County Public Health and Wake County Environmental Services confirmed Thursday that all three cases came from the restaurant.

Lisa Fatfat, co-owner of Sushi Nine, told WRAL News, "Our team is cooperating fully with local health officials."

Investigators are looking at the restaurant's food storage and preparation as well as the possibility of norovirus.