On Saturday, multiple people called 911 as dozens fell ill at Kumo restaurant in Stony Brook. Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services said on Saturday night that 13 patients were transported to three area hospitals by EMS from 2548 Nesconset Highway in Stony Brook with reports only saying that people were getting sick. An unknown number of additional patients were self-transported.

 

The Suffolk County Executive’s office said in an emailed statement that at least 28 individuals reported symptoms and 12 people were treated at Stony Brook University Hospital. The patients were released within hours and none stayed overnight.

 

An anonymous source who was aware of the incident and knows the people involved told LongIsland.com that a group of children were celebrating a girl's 13th birthday party at the restaurant when they all ended up in the hospital after eating there that day. Others took to Facebook with stories of people falling ill since at least last Wednesday after eating at Kumo.

 

“The Suffolk County Department of Health Services issued approximately 15 violations to Kumo Sushi & Steakhouse in Stony Brook, including eight for food-borne illness risk factors,” the statement said.

 

Suffolk Police confirmed that no arrests were made in connection to the incident.

 

“Corrective actions have been taken related to the violations and the restaurant is now reopen,” Suffolk County Executive’s office said.

 

There was no word from officials on what the violations related to exactly or what actions were taken.

 

John P. Ruggiero, the attorney for the owners of Kumo, said that there were no issues found with regard to refrigeration at the restaurant and no one was arrested.

 

“While the owners of this long standing local business take these matters very seriously, it is unfortunate that much of the online/social media speculation is simply untrue,” Ruggiero said in an email. “The fact of the matter is that the health department conducted a thorough review and inspection of the restaurant within an hour of the incident.”

 

He said the inspectors were at the location for four and a half hours and “inspected every aspect of the kitchen and its food-handling.

 

“They found all refrigeration in good working condition,” he said.

 

Ruggiero said that the cooked hibachi rice was not being rapidly-cooled in accordance with Suffolk County Department of Health guidelines. They reviewed those guidelines with the staff and the new procedure was immediately implemented.