Last summer, a Salmonella outbreak linked to the Tarheel Q restaurant in Lexington, North Carolina sickened 280 people in seven states. One person died.
Lab tests found the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium in a sample of BBQ taken from the restaurant. The strain matched the bacteria from a case patient. Most of those sickened reported onset of illness from June 16, 2015 and Sunday, June 21, 2015.
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection include diarrhea that can be bloody, fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps that usually develop six to 72 hours after exposure. The illness usually lasts about a week. Most people recover without medical attention, but some do get sick enough to need hospitalization, usually for sepsis or dehydration.
Even after full recovery, Salmonella patients can suffer from long term complications, including reactive arthritis, high blood pressure, endocarditis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Salmonella infections are caused by contaminated food. Foods that contain Salmonella include chicken, raw milk, produce, pork, beef, and seafood. To reduce the risk of illness, foods should be thoroughly cooked to a safe temperature as measured with a food thermometer. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw and cooked foods separate and always wash hands well before and after preparing food.
If you or a loved one have been sickened with a Salmonella infection, please contact our experienced attorneys for help at 1-888-377-8900 or 612-338-0202.
