Colorado Salmonella outbreak “peaks” at 37

UPDATE, MARCH 11
The Weld County Health Department confirmed two more cases, and said that, because there have been no new cases since March 4, the outbreak has “peaked” at 37 cases. The health department continues to investigate to determine the specific source of the outbreak.

ORIGINAL POST, MARCH 2
The Colorado Salmonella outbreak linked to two Burrito Delight restaurants has increased from 21 to 35, the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment announced.

This Colorado Salmonella outbreak has been traced to Burrito Delight restaurants in Fort Lupton and Dacono. Both locations voluntarily closed on Feb. 22, when the outbreak was first linked to food produced by the restaurants.

At least four people have been hospitalized.

Colorado Salmonella outbreak traced to Burrito Delight’s two locations has increased to 35 people.

Colorado Salmonella outbreak:
Start at the beginning

This Colorado Salmonella outbreak first made headlines Feb. 22 when it was reported that at least 10 confirmed cases of Salmonella food poisoning were linked to food served by Burrito Delight at its Fort Lupton location as well as two outside events. The catered events were held Feb. 9 and Feb. 13 at Aims Community College in Fort Lupton.

Five cases from the initial outbreak were linked to the events at Aims C.C.: one from the Feb. 9 event attended by about 70 people and another four from the Feb. 13 event attended by about 400 people. A community college spokesperson said the events were for employee training.

The total number of confirmed cases of people who reportedly ate food during the catered events has risen to 17. Thirteen cases have been confirmed from the Feb. 13 event and four from the Feb. 6 event.

Carrie Hanley – the Weld County director of community health services – proved prescient at the time when she warned area residents that the outbreak “has the potential to be a large outbreak.”

Colorado Salmonella outbreak:
Numerous violations at both sites

Burrito Delight has had numerous problems in the past few years, at both of its restaurants. Its Fort Lupton location has been hit with 22 “red violations” during five health inspections conducted since late 2015. The Dacono location, meanwhile, has been hit with 20 during the same time period.

According to the Department of Public Health and Environment, red violations are those “more likely than other violations to contribute to food contamination or illness.”

Weld County health officials recently rated both Burrito Delight locations as merely “marginal,” after the last set of inspections.

Debra Adamson, the Weld County director of environmental health services, said Burrito Delight’s Fort Lupton location was found with numerous violations when inspected Feb. 21:

• A dead mouse was found on a trap behind a reach-in cooler.
• Food was held at improper temperatures.
• Employees failed to wash their hands. In addition, they were drinking beverages next to unprepared food.

Both Burrito Delight locations will be allowed to reopen, but only after meeting four conditions:

• Both sites must be disinfected.
• All staff must test negative for Salmonella. If that doesn’t happen, new staff must be hired.
• Food must be replaced or deemed eligible to be released from embargo.
• The reopening inspection must comply with state regulations.

Colorado Salmonella outbreak:
Salmonella facts and figures

Salmonella infections are common in the United States, according to statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Salmonella annually sickens about 1 million Americans, with 19,000 victims requiring hospitalization and 380 victims dying.

Salmonella produces an illness called salmonellosis, symptoms for which usually present within 12 to 36 hours after eating tainted food.

Symptoms can present as early as six hours or as late as three days after ingestion, and they usually last four to seven days. Most people recover on their own.

Symptoms are numerous and can include:

• diarrhea, which can be bloody
• nausea
• abdominal pain
• fever
• headache
• vomiting
• dehydration
• muscle pains.