Health officials in North Carolina are investigating a potential foodborne illness outbreak that may be linked to Ribeyes Steakhouse in Nashville, located about 50 miles northeast of Raleigh, Amy Thomas, a spokeswoman for the Nash County Health department confirmed this afternoon.
State and county health officials, who are running a collaborative investigation into an outbreak that has sickened dozens of people over the last week, issued a statement today. So far, they have interviewed 75 people, collected food samples for testing and worked with Ribeyes on preemptive safety measures that would thwart further transmission should tests link the restaurant to the outbreak.
At this time, neither a food source nor a pathogen has been identified. Results from tests on the food samples performed by the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health are expected later this week, according to the statement.
Based on information gathered from patient interviews, those who became ill ate at the restaurant on or after Sunday, April 29. Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and last 24-48 hours.
While officials in Nashville investigate this outbreak, about 300 miles west, in the city of Asheville, public health officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to tempeh produced locally by Smiling Hara.
In both cities, health officials are reminding residents that proper hand-washing is the best way to prevent general gastrointestinal illness, especially after using the restroom, changing a diaper or caring for a sick person. Those who do become ill, should stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and stay home until they no longer have symptoms to prevent spreading the illness to others.
