Newlyweds Among Dozens Allegedly Sickened by Norovirus After Brooklyn Wedding

A Brooklyn wedding that was meant to be a joyful celebration allegedly ended in days of severe illness after the newlyweds and more than 30 guests developed symptoms linked to norovirus, according to a lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court.

Michael Ahern and his wife say they became sick shortly after their November 30, 2024 wedding reception at The Box House Hotel in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The couple alleges that contaminated food served during the reception caused the outbreak.

The couple had reportedly paid about $30,000 for the hotel to provide food and drinks for their wedding. Among the dishes served were prosciutto, macaroni-and-cheese croquettes and a seasonal crumble dessert.

According to the lawsuit, Ahern and his wife stayed at the hotel overnight after their reception. They had breakfast at the hotel's restaurant the following morning before returning to their home in Manhattan.

Their health reportedly deteriorated later that day.

By the evening of December 1, the couple allegedly began suffering from nausea and vomiting. The following day, both were reportedly confined to bed with repeated episodes of vomiting and diarrhea, along with chills, abdominal cramps and fatigue.

Ahern also says he was forced to miss work because of the illness. The complaint states that the symptoms continued for several days, turning what was supposed to be the beginning of the couple's married life into a period of recovery.

The Aherns were reportedly not the only wedding attendees affected. The lawsuit says 31 additional guests developed acute gastrointestinal symptoms in the days following the reception.

The outbreak prompted an investigation by the New York City Department of Health. Officials contacted wedding attendees, conducted interviews and distributed stool sample kits to food handlers who had worked at the event.

The Aherns' stool samples reportedly tested positive for norovirus.

A health department report issued in September 2025 and later included in the court proceedings said the outbreak was likely associated with food contaminated by a food handler who had tested positive for norovirus.

Investigators also identified several food safety and sanitation concerns at the hotel's restaurant.

According to the lawsuit, inspectors found that there was no hand soap available in the restaurant's kitchen or bar area. The kitchen also reportedly lacked a suitable thermometer for checking food temperatures.

Those findings form an important part of Ahern's case. His complaint argues that the hotel had a responsibility to serve safe food and maintain sanitary food preparation areas.

However, the hotel has pushed back against the allegation that the wedding reception was definitively responsible for the outbreak.

A spokesperson for The Box House Hotel told The Independent that the hotel was sorry guests became ill and said it cooperated with the Department of Health throughout its investigation.

The hotel said officials were given access to its kitchen, records and employees. Following the investigation, the property said it retrained staff on proper handwashing and illness reporting. It also strengthened its procedures for monitoring food temperatures and arranged for the restaurant and event spaces to be thoroughly disinfected.

The hotel said its restaurant received an A grade at its next inspection and continues to maintain that rating.

The spokesperson also argued that norovirus was widespread across New York City during the winter of 2024. Guests had reportedly visited several locations during the wedding weekend and consumed food from sources other than the hotel's restaurant.

The hotel specifically pointed to after-party food, including pizzas and cakes, that was brought in by the wedding party.

The health department's findings also contain an important qualification. Although investigators concluded that the outbreak was likely caused by food contaminated by a norovirus-positive food handler, they did not establish a specific food item as the confirmed vehicle of transmission.

The employee who tested positive for norovirus had reportedly not told the hotel that they were experiencing symptoms. The health department also found that the employee had not prepared the three menu items that were identified as common exposures among people who became sick.

That means the investigation provided evidence pointing toward food contamination but did not definitively establish exactly how the virus spread among the wedding guests.

Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread through contaminated food, surfaces or close contact with an infected person. Outbreaks can occur quickly in places where large numbers of people gather.

Weddings can be particularly challenging from a food safety perspective because large quantities of food may be prepared, handled and served within a short period. Proper handwashing, illness reporting, food temperature controls and sanitation are therefore important safeguards.

The hotel said it has hosted almost 1,000 weddings and other events over the past 15 years and had not experienced a similar outbreak before or since the 2024 incident.

The lawsuit alleges that the hotel failed to meet its responsibility to provide safe food and maintain appropriate sanitation standards. Ahern is seeking damages, although the amount will ultimately be determined through the legal process.

The Box House Hotel has not accepted responsibility for the alleged outbreak and has emphasized the uncertainty surrounding its precise source.

The case is now moving forward in court, where evidence from the couple, wedding guests, hotel employees and health officials could be examined.

For the newlyweds, the incident has already had a significant impact. Instead of spending the days following their wedding celebrating with family and friends, they say they were dealing with vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and exhaustion.

The dispute also highlights the importance of food safety at private events. Even when an outbreak appears to be connected to a particular gathering, determining exactly where and how a contagious virus spread can be complicated.

The health department's report and the allegations in the lawsuit will likely play an important role as the case develops. However, neither the complaint nor the investigation should be treated as a final judicial determination of liability.

The Box House Hotel is expected to respond to the lawsuit in court. Until then, the competing accounts leave several questions unresolved, including precisely how the virus spread and whether the hotel can legally be held responsible for the illnesses reported after the wedding.

Sources: The Independent, reporting by Justin Rohrlich, August 25, 2026; New York City Department of Health investigation cited in the court filings; Michael G. Ahern v. Box House Events Inc., Manhattan Supreme Court; American Medical Association information concerning norovirus transmission.

Disclaimer: This article summarizes allegations contained in a lawsuit, statements provided by the hotel and findings attributed to the New York City Department of Health. The allegations have not been proven in court. The health department investigation reportedly did not identify a specific food item as the confirmed source of transmission, and the hotel disputes the claim that the outbreak can be attributed solely to its property.