Salmonella Outbreak in Texas, Oklahoma and Other States Linked to Mexican Restaurant Chain

Posted by Salmonella Attorney on Jan 20, 2012 in Outbreak

The CDC issued its final report on a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak associated with several locations of a Mexican restaurant chain (referred to as Restaurant Chain A by the CDC).  The outbreak had been kept under wraps by state and federal investigators, most likely because the source of the outbreak is believed to be a food product that was contaminated before it was received by the restaurants in Texas, Oklahoma and 8 additional states. Our opinion on this is that consumers have the right to know the name of the restaurant chain and that this knowledge could lead to finding additional victims of this outbreak.

In addition, legally the restaurant chain is responsible for this outbreak. Salmonella victims and their families should not bear the financial burdens of this outbreak, and our Salmonella lawyers are available for a free consultation regarding a lawsuit against the restaurant chain and others.

Map showing states with Salmonella victims. Texas (43) and Oklahoma (16) hardest hit. Free consultation with our attorneys >>>

Salmonella Outbreak Investigation

State and federal investigators found sufficient evidence to implicate Restaurant Chain A in the multistate Salmonella outbreak, but they could not find the specific food product that caused the outbreak. Data did indicate that contamination likely occurred before the product reached Restaurant Chain A locations.

Public health investigators used DNA “fingerprints” of Salmonella bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to determine the cases of Salmonella Enteritidis that are part of this outbreak. The PFGE pattern in the outbreak has been seen before in PulseNet (the national subtyping network) and in the past typically caused 2-3 cases per month. This outbreak involved 68 people in 10 states: Texas (43), Oklahoma (16), Kansas (2), Iowa (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (1), Ohio (1), and Tennessee (1).

Salmonella illnesses began on or after October 13, 2011, and 31% of the Salmonella victims were hospitalized. If the Salmonella infection enters the bloodstream and causes sepsis (septicemia), the infection can then spread to the brain, heart, pancreas, lungs and other organs. These cases can be fatal. In addition, in some cases the Salmonella victims develops a reactive arthritis called Reiter’s syndrome, which can be debilitating.

Public health officials in multiple states and the CDC interviewed Salmonella victims, asking questions about exposures during the days before becoming ill.  Of the 53 Salmonella victims who provided information, 60% reported eating at Restaurant Chain A in the week before illness onset. Salmonella victims reported eating at 18 different locations of Restaurant Chain A in the week before becoming ill.

Epidemiologic studies compared foods eaten by 48 Salmonella victims and 103 well persons. Analysis of this study indicated that eating at Mexican-style fast food Restaurant Chain A was associated with illness. Salmonella infection victims (62%) were significantly more likely than well persons (17%) to report eating at Restaurant Chain A in the week before illness. No specific food item or ingredient was found to be associated with illness due to common ingredients being used together in many menu items. However, among ill persons eating at Restaurant Chain A, 90% reported eating lettuce, 94% reported eating ground beef, 77% reported eating cheese, and 35% reported eating tomatoes.

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Tags: Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella from Restaurant, Salmonella Personal Injury Lawyers