The Alabama Department of Public Health has issued a news release stating that 14 people have been sickened with Salmonella in Russellville. The outbreak is centered around the El Patron restaurant on Highway 43 in that city. That restaurant is still closed as of June 20, 2014 after inspection by city public health officials.
Those who are part of this outbreak ate at that restaurant on June 4 and 5, 2014. None of those people interviewed have been hospitalized, although two people were in the hospital after becoming ill.
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and fever. If you ate at that restaurant in early June and have suffered these symptoms, see your doctor and tell him about this outbreak.
To reduce your risk of a Salmonella infection, avoid raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, and other meats. When you order meat in restaurants, especially hamburgers, specify that you want them cooked to well done as verified by a food thermometer. Always wash produce thoroughly before serving. Remember to wash your hands before and during cooking, and avoid cross-contamination between raw meats and eggs and foods that are to be eaten raw.
Most people recover from a Salmonella infection within a few days, but some people become so ill they must be hospitalized. Complications and long-term after effects of a Salmonella infection can include Reiter’s syndrome, which leads to reactive arthritis, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
