A Salmonella outbreak at Esencia Urban Kitchen in Chicago has sickened as least five people who ate at the restaurant, health authorities told Food Poisoning Bulletin today. Those who became ill reported eating at the restaurant on August 13 and August 14.
“We have inspected the restaurant to ensure it meets health code standards. The ongoing investigation includes additional interviews and testing food handlers who work there. The restaurant is cooperating with the investigation,” Alicia Siston, PhD, MPH, MS Epidemiologist, Communicable Disease Program said in an e mail.
Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning, which include diarrhea, fever, vomiting, abdominal cramping, nausea, chills and headache, usually develop within 12 to 72 hours of exposure and last about a week. For some people, the diarrhea can be so severe that hospitalization is required. These patients can develop a more serious, sometimes fatal infection that spreads from the intestines to the blood stream. Children, seniors, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems are at special risk.
Salmonella is the most common source of foodborne illness in the U.S. sickening about 1.2 million Americans annually. It is often associated with poultry and eggs but outbreaks have also been linked to meat, fruits and vegetables.
