According to the Herald News, T.A. Restaurant in Fall River has closed after an apparent Salmonella outbreak. At least one person has been sickened, and officials expect more cases will be identified. An investigation by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Food Protection Program is ongoing. The owners are cooperating with state and city government officials and hope to reopen the restaurant soon.
Public health officials inspected the restaurant last Friday. Complaints about the restaurant were received last week. The Portuguese restaurant must disinfect the restaurant and the kitchen, replace some equipment, and throw out old food. Staff members must take lab culture tests and receive two negative tests before they are allowed to return to work.
Salmonella infections typically cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, and muscle pains. Symptoms appear six to seventy-two hours after exposure, and the illness usually lasts two to seven days. Most people recover, but some, especially the very young, elderly persons, and those with compromised immune systems, can become seriously ill and require hospitalization. One of the complications of a Salmonella infection, Reiter’s syndrome, can lead to reactive arthritis. If you visited this restaurant and have experienced these symptoms, please see a health care provider as soon as possible.
