County officials now report that at least 16 people have been infected with Salmonella after eating at a Mexican restaurant in Valencia, CA.
People who dined at Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria late last week began reporting symptoms of food poisoning, and Public Health was notified of the situation on Tuesday, September 17. Initially, only four sick people were reported.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health temporarily closed the restaurant, which could reopen on September 23.
According to Public Health’s media relations department, the department began receiving reports of “gastrointestinal symptoms.”
“On Tuesday, September 17, the Department of Health, Environmental Health Division, received several reports of people experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming food at the Madre Oaxacan Restaurant located at 27007 McBean Parkway, Valencia,” reads a statement from Becky Schlikeman, director of public health external communications. “The department’s Outbreak Investigation and Evaluation Unit is investigating.”
As part of the investigation, Public Health sent out a survey asking those who dined at the restaurant to complete it to “determine the nature and extent of this incident.” The research can be found at tinyurl.com/2p9zvahs and any questions may be directed to the Food Safety Unit of the Acute Communicable Disease Control Department at 213-240-7941.
According to Patrick Moody, spokesman for Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, an emergency physician said there was a noticeable increase in the number of people reporting stomach pain on Friday and Saturday. He said 14 percent of patients over two days complained of symptoms related to food poisoning, while the average is closer to 9 percent.
Public Health last inspected the restaurant in March and gave it a score of 92, giving it an “A” rating, albeit with a few violations.
The report stated that pico de gallo, queso fresco, tamales and chile relleno were observed being stored in an inoperative cooler and were measured to be above the approved temperature of 41 degrees. It has also been observed that shellfish are kept in an unsafe manner.
A follow-up inspection in April found none of the outstanding violations.
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria usually does not look, smell or taste spoiled. Anyone can become ill from a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.
Anyone who has eaten at Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctor about possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria, because special tests are needed to diagnose salmonellosis. Symptoms of Salmonella infection can mimic other diseases, often leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours of eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. However, in some cases, the diarrhea can 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 serious illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people become infected without becoming ill or showing symptoms. However, they can still spread the infections to others.
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