A Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 81 people who ate guinea pig meat and other foods at an Ecuadorian festival in Minneapolis on August 11, according to the Star Tribune. The food was served by a vendor at the festival which was organized to celebrate Ecuadorian Independence Day.
Some of those who became ill had eaten a traditional dish that contained guinea pig meat (cuy), but others, who did not eat that dish, were also sickened. Dozens sought treatment at Hennepin County Medical Center and Minneapolis Children’s Hospital. Health officials suspect cross contamination played a role in the outbreak.
Salmonella is a bacteria that is transmitted when someone ingests microscopic amounts of fecal matter. It causes an infection, called salmonellosis, that can last four to seven days. Symptoms of salmonellosis, which usually set in 12 to 72 hours after exposure, include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps and headache.
Young children, pregnant women, seniors and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk for food poisoning. Salmonellosis can trigger reactive arthritis, which casuses painful swelling of the joints, or other complications that cause inflammation of the spine, tendons and eyes.
