Six people have been hospitalized and another eight sickened in an outbreak of Salmonella illnesses in Chicago, numerous news sources are reporting.
The outbreak has been linked to the Best BBQ restaurant (1648 W. 115th St.) on Chicago’s South Side, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). Best BBQ has closed voluntarily and is cooperating fully with the CDPH’s investigation.
The CDPH is urging anyone who ate at Best BBQ and who is suffering food-poisoning symptoms to see a medical professional.
Salmonella affects 1 million in U.S. annually
Salmonella bacteria are responsible for as many as 1 million foodborne illnesses in the United States on a yearly basis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Salmonellosis affects the intestinal tract, and is one of the most common types of food poisoning.
Salmonellosis can develop anywhere from 12 hours to three days after consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella. As with most types of foodborne illnesses, symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, and chills, and can last up to a week. Most people recover without treatment, but hospitalization is required in some cases.
Almost 400 die yearly in U.S. because of Salmonella
Salmonella complications can be long-lasting
- Meningitis: inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Endocarditis: infection of the heart’s inner lining, usually involving the heart valves.
- Osteomyelitis: bone inflammation that usually targets the legs, arms, or spine.
- Reactive arthritis: also known as Reiter’s syndrome, a form of inflammatory arthritis that develops in response to a Salmonella infection in another part of the body.
Free consultation
Elliot Olsen has decades of experience representing people harmed by foodborne illnesses, and he has regained millions of dollars in compensation for those victims. If you have become sick because of this outbreak in Chicago, please call him for a free consultation (612-337-6126), or complete the following form:
