ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. – Health officials are investigating a spike in bacterial infections in the Metro East with several cases linked to a LongHorn Steakhouse restaurant.
The St. Clair County Health Department describes it as a “cluster of gastrointestinal illness.”
As of Wednesday, the health department says 14 people have tested positive for Shigellosis, an infectious disease caused by Shigella bacteria. Health officials note that eating contaminated food is a common source of infection.
St. Clair County health officials report that, among the 14 positive patients, 12 dined at a LongHorn Steakhouse location at 6115 North Illinois Street in Fairview Heights between Sept. 21-22. Six patients have been hospitalized due to illness.
“The investigation is ongoing and the health department is working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health toward control and prevention of disease transmission,” said the St. Clair County Health Department via a news release.
Health officials say that restaurant representatives have been cooperating amid the investigation. Investigators have not yet determined the source of the rise in Shigellosis cases.
LongHorn Steakhouse released the following statement to FOX 2 after the St. Clair County Health Department’s news release:
“The health and safety of our guests and team members is our number one priority, which is why we have voluntarily closed our restaurant today and tomorrow. This will allow us to conduct an additional thorough sanitization of the restaurant using a hospital-grade disinfectant. Our Total Quality manager on site will also be reinforcing our food safety and sanitation practices with our team.”
Shigellosis symptoms typically occur within 1-2 days of infection and typically last around 5-7 days. Fever, prolonged or bloody diarrhea, dehydration and severe stomach cramping are all symptoms.
If you have eaten at the aforementioned LongHorn Steakhouse since Sept. 21 and have felt symptoms within 12 hours to four days of eating, contact a physician at your earliest convenience.
