A coffee shop in northeast Nebraska has been targeted as the probable source of an outbreak of Salmonella poisoning, numerous news sources are reporting. The number of confirmed cases has reached 20, with eight more probable cases.
The Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department (ELVPHD) has not confirmed the source of the outbreak. Officials, however, said investigators have found a common factor among the 20 confirmed cases: All of those sickened ate at Red Door Coffee in West Point. The department said restaurant owners and staff members are cooperating with investigators.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is also involved in the ELVPHD’s investigation. The departments are asking that anyone who ate at Red Door Coffee between July 14 and July 29 complete a survey that will help in their investigation. The survey can be found at: https://han.ne.gov/survey/rdc.
Salmonella most common source of food poisoning in U.S.
Foodborne illnesses caused by Salmonella bacteria affect as many as 1 million people in the United States on a yearly basis. Statistics gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal it to be the most common type of food poisoning annually.
Salmonellosis – which affects the intestinal tract – can develop anywhere from 12 hours to three days after eating contaminated food. Symptoms, which can last up to a week, include:
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- fever
- vomiting
- chills.
Most people recover without treatment, but in some cases, the diarrhea can be so severe that dehydration develops and hospitalization is required. Anyone experiencing the above symptoms – and especially those who recently ate at Red Door Coffee – should contact their doctor for recommendations on testing and treatment
Almost 400 deaths yearly due to Salmonella
The CDC estimates that of those 1 million annual cases of Salmonella poisoning, 19,000 require hospitalization, and almost 400 victims die. People most at risk for complications are children younger than 5, pregnant women, older people (those over 60), and people with suppressed immune systems.
Complications also can occur from Salmonellosis. This happens when the Salmonella bacteria enter the bloodstream. Those complications can produce:
- Meningitis: inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Endocarditis: infection of the heart’s inner lining.
- Osteomyelitis: bone inflammation that generally targets the legs, arms, or spine.
- Reactive arthritis (Reiter’s syndrome): a type 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 are a part of this Salmonella outbreak in northeastern Nebraska, please call for a free consultation at (612) 337-6126, or complete the following form:
