A Salmonella outbreak has triggered the temporary closure of the Washington D.C. Fig & Olive restaurant in City Center. Twenty people are sick, two have confirmed cases of salmonellosis. Four people have been hospitalized at Sibley Memorial Hospital.
Three of illnesses occurred over Labor Day weekend. In a statement Fig & Olive management said:
“The health and safety of our restaurants and patrons is of paramount importance to us. Fig & Olive has closed the City Center DC restaurant due to reports that some patrons have recently been sickened. We have retained third-party consultants to provide assistance in this investigation and will cooperate fully with the Department of Health. We will continue to work with the DOH to insure that we have done all we can for the safety of our customers.”
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection include fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea that is sometimes bloody. Symptoms usually begin within six to 72 hours after exposure and last up to a week. In about 30 percent of cases, hospitalization is required. Of those, an invasive, life-threatening form of the infection can occur. Those most at risk are children, seniors and those with compromised immune systems.
A 30-state Salmonella outbreak that has sickened has killed two people, sickened 341 people and hospitalized 70 has been linked to contaminated cucumbers. Some of the reported illnesses have been linked to food served at restaurants.
Ten people in Minnesota contracted infections after eating salads containing contaminated cucumbers at Red Lobster restaurants. Federal health officials say cucumbers grown in Mexico and distributed by Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce of San Diego are the likely source. A recall for the cucumbers distributed from August 1 to September 3 has been issued.
