A food poisoning outbreak at the Masonic Snow Lodge at 240 Temple Drive in Boone, North Carolina has sickened eight people. All ate at a barbecue fundraiser that was held Friday, July 19, 2019. Those eight cases are laboratory confirmed. A “number of others” have also been sickened, according to the press release.
The press release does not specify which pathogen has sickened these people. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, which are typical for any number of bacteria, parasites, and viruses. The most common foodborne illnesses are caused by Salmonella, norovirus, Clostridium perfringens, and Campylobacter.
Jennifer Green, Health Director of AppeHealthCare in Alleghany and Ashe counties in North Carolina, said in a statement, “We do not have a confirmed source of the illness but are actively conducting a thorough investigation to determine it with support from the NC Division of Public Health, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, Watauga County Emergency Management and the Masonic Lodge. Any purchased food should be thrown away and not eaten since there is a risk it could be contaminated.”
You can contact food safety attorney Fred Pritzker for help by calling 1-888-377-8900.
The health department is asking that anyone who ate at the Masonic Snow Lodge Fundraiser Barbecue and is experiencing symptoms of food poisoning contact their doctor. Most cases of food poisoning do resolve on their own, but long term complications of these infections can be serious. For instance, a Salmonella infection can cause high blood pressure and reactive arthritis years after the infection has ended.
Official are also asking that if anyone is experiencing symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea they should stay home from work or school until symptoms are gone. This is good advice no matter what pathogen caused this particular outbreak. And wash your hands well with soap and water after taking care of someone who is ill and after using the bathroom.
