Chicago Taqueria Source of Salmonella Outbreak with Over 50 Infected

A Chicago taqueria, Carniceria Guanajuato, has been shut done after being identified as the source of a Salmonella outbreak.  To date, there have been 56 cases of Salmonella infection with Of those, 17, or 30%, have been hospitalized

From the news report, "The restaurant and grocery store were inspected on Sept. 8 after a report of food poisoning, according to city records. Inspectors reported raw beef and raw shelled eggs were stored above ready-to-eat sliced lettuce and found other items stored at improper temperatures.  The restaurant was instructed to clean and sanitize certain food preparation areas, install working thermometers inside restaurant coolers, and correct labeling of prepared foods, among other fixes, city records showed. "

ABC News & - Chicago
https://abc7chicago.com/salmonella-outbreak-chicago-carniceria-guanajuato-poisoning-avondale/13814359/
Salmonella outbreak Chicago: Avondale taqueria facing lawsuits after 56 fall ill
Sun-Times Media Wire
Friday, September 22, 2023 11:48AM

CHICAGO -- At least five lawsuits have been filed against an Avondale taqueria following a Salmonella outbreak that left dozens ill.

As of Thursday, at least 56 cases of Salmonella have been linked to an outbreak at Carniceria Guanajuato, 3140 N. California Ave., according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.

Of those, 17, or 30%, have been hospitalized, CDPH said.

One customer had to be placed on a ventilator and remains on dialysis, according to food safety lawyer Bill Marler.

Ten people, all positive for Salmonella, a bacteria that commonly causes food poisoning, have retained Marler's services. Six of those people were hospitalized, Marler said. So far, Marler's firm has filed five lawsuits against the restaurant.

The restaurant and grocery store were inspected on Sept. 8 after a report of food poisoning, according to city records. Inspectors reported raw beef and raw shelled eggs were stored above ready-to-eat sliced lettuce and found other items stored at improper temperatures.

The restaurant was instructed to clean and sanitize certain food preparation areas, install working thermometers inside restaurant coolers, and correct labeling of prepared foods, among other fixes, city records showed.

City health officials issued a warning that individuals who dined at the taqueria or purchased ready-made meals from the grocery store since Aug. 29 may have been potentially exposed to Salmonella.

"Investigation into the source of infections remains ongoing and management continues to work closely with the Chicago Department of Public Health," city spokesman Jacob Martin said in a statement.

Chicago Public Health
City of Chicago :: Chicago Department of Public Health Investigating Outbreak of Salmonella
Chicago Department of Public Health Investigating Outbreak of Salmonella
September 15, 2023
CDPH Public Information media.cdph@cityofchicago.org

CHICAGO - The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella, a bacteria that is a common cause of food poisoning. As of September 15, 2023, CDPH has identified 20 individuals with Salmonella infections who ate prepared food from a taqueria in Carniceria Guanajuato located at 3140 N California in Chicago. Of these, 10 people have been hospitalized. Carniceria Guanajuato voluntarily closed the taqueria on September 8, 2023 and is cooperating with CDPH to determine a source of the infections. If you have purchased prepared food from the taqueria or the prepared food section of the grocery store since August 29, 2023, discard it and do not eat it. If you ate food purchased from the prepared food section (taqueria or prepared foods in the grocery section) since August 29, 2023, you may have been exposed to Salmonella.

CDPH performed an environmental assessment of the grocery store and provided guidance on safe food handling practices and environmental cleaning to prevent further spread of disease. CDPH has also issued an alert to area physicians about the outbreak, providing medical guidance.

Salmonella symptoms usually last four to seven days and most individuals recover without any treatment. Although most infections resolve without antibiotics, older individuals or those with weakened immune systems may need medical evaluation and treatment. If you are experiencing severe diarrhea, symptoms of dehydration, or high fever, seek medical attention. Most people who are infected develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps between 6 hours and 6 days after eating contaminated food. For more information on Salmonella, visit www.cdc.gov/salmonella.

CDPH is monitoring closely for additional reports of illness. If you experienced diarrheal illness after consuming foods from this establishment, contact CDPH at outbreak@cityofchicago.org to file a suspected food poisoning complaint.