The Salmonella outbreak in Colorado has now grown to 12 people sickened, according to the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment. The press release states that “the source of the outbreak is the Burrito Delight restaurant.” This is an increase of two patients since the last update.
That restaurant has closed both of its locations in Fort Lupton and Dacono. Public health officials are still investigating the source of the outbreak. Lab testing of employees should be available today, and officials are still looking at possible food sources.
Six of those sickened ate food from Burrito Delight at two different catered events at Aims Community College in Greeley, Colorado. Four patients ate at the Fort Lupton Burritos Delight restaurant location. And two of the patients ate food from a private business event which Burrito Delight catered. Those restaurants are now closed, and the public is not at risk.
Health department inspection reports at both locations revealed problems over the past several years. Issues with food handling, including food that was held in the danger zone of 40°F to 140°F, and insects and a rodent found at one location, were noted. Those problems were corrected, according to the reports.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include diarrhea that can be bloody, nausea, fever, abdominal cramps, muscle aches, and vomiting. Most people get sick within 12 to 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria, and the illness usually lasts for 4 to 7 days. Some people become so ill they must be hospitalized. The notice did not state whether or not anyone has been hospitalized in this particular outbreak.
If you ate Burrito Delight food at the restaurants or at catered events in the past month or so and have experienced these symptoms, see your doctor. While most people do recover without medical treatment, long term complications of this illness can be severe, including reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and endocarditis. If you have been sick, call the Weld County Health Department triage line at 970-400-2374. A non-staffed hotline in English and Spanish, available 24/7, is 970-400-4457.
The experienced attorneys at Pritzker Hageman law firm represent and helps people who have been sickened by contaminated food. We get answers, compensation for those who have been injured, and justice through our work. Our lawyers represent clients and the families of children who have been sickened with bacterial infections in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against restaurants, retailers, grocery stores, food processors, daycare centers, schools, and others. Attorney Fred Pritzker and his team recently won $7.5 million for young client whose kidneys failed because of hemolytic uremic syndrome after an E. coli O157:H7 infection.
