According to Carrie Williams, Director of Media Relations at the Texas Department of State Health Services, at least 30 people are sick with Salmonella infections in connection with the X10 Woodfire Steakhouse Restaurant in Dalhart. The restaurant closed voluntarily the week of February 9, 2015 and was sanitized. It has since been cleared for reopening.
Anyone who ate at that restaurant and experienced the symptoms of a Salmonella infection, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, muscle pains, and blood in the stool, should contact their doctor. Long term complications of a Salmonella infection, even after recovery, can be severe, including reactive arthritis. Ask for a stool sample test that should be examined for Salmonella.
Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has represented hundreds of those who ate at restaurants and have been sickened, said, “Eating at a restaurant is a treat. No one who spends their money to dine out should get sick from eating contaminated food. Restaurants have a responsibility to serve wholesome and safe food to their customers.”
The source for the pathogenic bacteria has not yet been identified. All of the food samples and environmental samples taken at the restaurant tested negative for Salmonella, according to Williams.
There are at least 12 other people sick with Salmonella in that area. The DSHS is investigating those illnesses as well. A food that was sold to several restaurants in the area could be the culprit, or there could have been a problem at that particular restaurant.
Salmonella bacteria can be in almost any food. It occurs in chicken and beef, and can contaminate produce in several ways, either through cross-contamination with a raw meat product or through problems in the handling or distribution chain. If a restaurant employee is sick, especially with a diarrheal illness, and comes to work they can contaminate food and sicken others.
To avoid Salmonella infections, do not eat undercooked poultry or beef or eggs. Avoid raw milk and raw milk dairy products. Always wash produce well before preparing or eating it. Use cool running water and scrub hardy produce well, rubbing the surface to help remove pathogens. Always wash your hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food and eating. And never prepare or handle food for someone else if you are sick.
