A Salmonella outbreak related to a restaurant in Illinois is being investigated by county and state public health officials. At least eight patients have been identified so far.
Officials are telling the public to seek medical attention and testing if they ate at the La Mex restaurant in the 100 block of East Jackson Street of downtown Morris if they feel ill. It can take several days for symptoms of Salmonella poisoning to develop.
WCSJ radio reported that the exposure timeframe is likely limited to Aug. 31 through Sept. 7, according to the Grundy County Health Department.
“At this point, the Grundy County Health Department, said that ‘this outbreak does not appear to be directly correlated to operating errors or issues in the establishment, but with the food sold by their suppliers.’” According to the radio station.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health are also investigating the outbreak.
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.
Anyone who has eaten at the restaurant and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)