The restaurant True Food Kitchen at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, California has been closed after a suspected Shigella outbreak. Orange County officials closed the restaurant on August 28, 2014 for an investigation. At least six people have reported symptoms of shigellosis, the illness caused by that bacteria.
Officials say that none of the patients ate the same food, possibly meaning that the bacteria was spread by person-to-person contact, according to a media report. Shigella bacteria are passed through the oral-fecal route, meaning that someone ingests feces of someone else with a Shigella infection.
Those sickened all ate at the restaurant on August 21, 23, 24, and 25, 2014. The restaurant reopened late last week after cleaning and sanitizing the facility and using replacement staff.
The restaurant is cooperating with public and health officials. During the cleanup process, all food items that were unsealed, all ready-to-eat foods, unsealed linens, and all open beverages were discarded. All employees were tested for the bacteria. The restaurant is marketed as a “wellness” spot with healthy food.
If you ate at that restaurant on the above dates and have experienced the symptoms of shigellosis, which include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and bloody stools, please see your doctor as soon as possible. The symptoms usually appear within 24 to 48 hours after infection. Most people get better in about a week without any treatment, but some people can become seriously ill and require hospitalization. Even for healthy people, it can take months for your bowels to return to normal after a Shigella infection.
