The norovirus, a common gastrointestinal illness, is believed to have sickened more than 70 people who attended a wedding reception in Washington County this month.

Investigators from the state Department of Agriculture found that the Stockdale Volunteer Fire Company, which hosted the reception at its fire hall, allowed an ill bartender to handle drinks and ice and used an unsanitary ice machine during the event.

The fire department was ordered to sanitize the ice machine, found to be contaminated with black residue and pink slime, during an inspection Oct. 16. That problem has since been remedied, Department of Agriculture spokesman Chris Ryder said.

The ordeal began at the Oct. 11 wedding reception for Amy Onisko and Grant McCloy at the fire hall.

Wedding guest Kim McCrory of Cranberry called the state Department of Health after she learned that she wasn’t the only guest experiencing diarrhea and vomiting in the days after the event.

“I have never been so sick; it was awful,” McCrory said. “We weren’t sure if it was food poisoning or something else. But when I heard that so many people who were at the wedding got sick, I knew I should report it.”

McCrory said even the newlyweds got sick, which dampened the first few days of their Niagara Falls honeymoon.

Department of Health spokeswoman Stacy Kriedeman said she could not provide details of the investigation because of privacy laws. She could say only that health investigators believe the norovirus was at the root of the illnesses.

Norovirus is a common, highly contagious virus that typically produces nausea, vomiting and severe diarrhea and can lead to dehydration. It is spread person to person, but can be prevented by basic sanitary practices such as hand-washing.

Ryder said when health department investigators determine that something at a food establishment sickens a group of people, agriculture investigators will inspect the premises.

Routine yearly inspections of more than 31,000 licensed eating and drinking establishments fall under the purview of the agriculture department.

Inspections also are done when a complaint is filed. Ryder did not have figures on how many of those inspections are conducted annually.

Inspectors found two violations at the fire hall.

The bartender admitted having flu-like symptoms and should have been restricted from handling foods, ice and beverages, the report said.

In addition, inspectors observed black residue and pink slime on the interior of the ice machine bin around the lower hopper unit.

The report indicated that the caterer did not use any kitchen facilities at the fire hall during the reception.

Ryder said the fire department was banned from using the ice machine until a follow-up inspection was conducted. Ryder said yesterday that the machine was sanitized and can be used again.

Stockdale Fire Department Vice President Tom Wilkinson and his wife, Sherry, were guests at the wedding, and they also fell ill.

“It was such a perfect wedding,” he said. “I feel bad they got sick on their honeymoon.”

Wilkinson said no events had to be postponed due to the inspection and the fire hall remains open for rentals.

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