By Matt Leingang
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MADEIRA - Hamilton County public health officials have launched a foodborne illness investigation at a new restaurant after at least 16 people became ill at a private opening Feb. 27.

But preliminary indications are that the culprit at Embers restaurant was not in the food.

Instead, a contagious gastrointestinal virus may have spread among those in attendance, health officials said.

Embers - a trendy spot featuring sushi and a raw bar - opened to the public Saturday at 8180 Montgomery Road.

Restaurant owners called the health department Wednesday after receiving complaints from customers who attended the Friday night event.

The county dispatched restaurant inspectors and found no violations, said Chris Eddy, director of environmental services for Hamilton County.

Embers, which has the same owners as Trio in Kenwood, remains open.

"The restaurant is exceptionally clean. They are in full compliance," Eddy said.

Food cannot be ruled out as a possible source of the illness, Eddy said, but early indications are that this is the work of a norovirus - a common gastrointestinal virus that is easily spread by having direct contact with people who are infected or by touching surfaces and eating foods that are contaminated.

The virus can cause diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting about 24 to 48 hours after exposure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It could have been introduced to the restaurant by an employee or customer, Eddy said.

Owner Jon Zipperstein said none of his employees was visibly ill when the restaurant opened.

"We have very high standards for sanitation and food handling," Zipperstein said. "It's unfortunate that this happened, but we're not shying away from anything. That's why we called the health department."

E-mail mleingang@enquirer.com