A Salmonella outbreak that may be associated with Red Door Coffee in West Point, Nebraska has sickened at least 20 people, according to the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department. To date, there are 20 confirmed and 8 probable cases. The local health department is working with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services on the investigation.
Local health departments and state officials are conducting interviews with patients. The press release states that “so far, all confirmed cases have one common factor which is dining at Red Door Coffee in West Point. Red Door Coffee owners and staff are fully cooperating with the investigation.”
Officials are asking that the public help in this matter. They say that anyone who ate at Red Door Coffee from July 14 to July 29, 2017 complete a brief survey to help the health department solve this outbreak and prevent more cases. It’s important to complete this survey and answer all the questions even if you are not ill, because your answers can help rule out potential sources. The survey is voluntary and all information is confidential.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. People usually get sick by eating undercooked eggs, or poultry, and contaminated produce. Symptoms begin 6 to 72 hours after exposure to the pathogenic bacteria. Most people are sick for about a week, and most also recover without medical treatment.
The elderly, the very young, those with chronic illnesses, and people with compromised immune systems are more likely to develop serious complications with this type of infection and must be hospitalized. There Is no word on whether or not anyone has been hospitalized in this particular outbreak.
If you ate at Red Door Coffee during the dates mentioned and have been experiencing these symptoms, please see your doctor. A Salmonella infection can have lifelong medical complications, even if you recover fully. Some patents develop reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and high blood pressure.
Pritzker Hageman law firm is a national company that helps those sickened by contaminated food get answers, compensation, and justice. Our attorneys represent patients and families in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against grocery stores, daycare centers, food producers and processors, restaurants, and retailers. Attorney Fred Pritzker and his team recently won $7.5 million for a young client whose kidneys failed after he developed hemolytic uremic syndrome as a result of an E. coli infection. It’s important to remember that class action lawsuits may not be appropriate for outbreak victims because each case is unique.
