The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services has issued a final report on the Salmonella outbreak associated with “Restaurant A” in Elko, Nevada. The outbreak is associated with eggs served less than well done at that restaurant.
Based on the details of this report and previous investigations, we believe Restaurant A is the Grille at Gold Dust West restaurant in Elko. Eggs were suspected in that outbreak, and according to news reports, 17 people were sickened.
The outbreak was first picked up by officials when between Friday, March 8, 2019 and Monday, March 11, 2019 there were 12 positive Salmonella lab reports from “Hospital A” in Elko. Five patients were interviewed on March 11 and they revealed that all five cases had dined at Restauwrnta A and ate “sunny side up” eggs.
The restaurant was inspected, and samples were collected. The inspectors identified these deficiencies:
- Potentially hazardous, raw food of animal origin stored or displayed directly above ready-to-eat foods.
- Thermometers were not available/provided for the reach-in refrigeration units.
- Wiping cloths were not stored in a bucket of water with adequate sanitizer.
- Knives and other utensils were stored in crevices between equipment.
- Ice machine was not cleaned and/or sanitized; a thick layer of what appeared to be mold was observed.
Officials then collected 19 dozen egg samples from the restaurant and submitted them to a lab for testing. In addition, two employees tested positive for Salmonella infections.
No Salmonella species were detected in egg samples. A total of 107 environmental samples were collected and analyzed. No Salmonella species were detected.
As of the date that the investigation of the Salmonella outbreak was completed, April 10 2019, a total of 38 patients met the outbreak cases definition; 29 were confirmed, meaning they met the epidemiological criteria with a laboratory confirmation of a Salmonella infection, and nine were probable. Two of those 38 cases were restaurant employees.
In the end, although food samples were negative, analysis from the case-control study showed statistical significance for the American Breakfast meal. There is strong epidemiologic evidence of eggs being the potential source of infection.
The health department made recommendations to the restaurant that were implemented. They will now exclude employees with gastroenteritis symptoms until 48 hours after symptoms have resolved. There will be no more bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods. All raw foods will be properly stored away from and below ready-to-eat foods. And the restaurant will be deep cleaned on a regular basis.
Thanks to sharing the final report of the food in “Restaurant A” in Elko, Nevada