Souplantation Restaurant Implicated in a Shigella Outbreak that Forces it to Close its Doors – Reopening Scheduled for 11 a.m. Today
At least 10 Shigella illnesses have led to the closure of Souplantation restaurant in Camarillo, Ventura County, California. Souplantation restaurant is part of a San Diego headquartered chain, but only this one location has been implicated. The announcement of a series of Shigella illnesses came on June 22, 2017, leading to the immediate closure of Souplantation restaurant. The Souplantation restaurant is expected to reopen today – according to Elizabeth Huff, a spokesperson for Ventura County Environmental, “we will reinstate the permit this afternoon. They will be cleared to open.”
According to Ventura County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin, there have been nine confirmed cases of Shigella bacteria in patrons of Souplantation restaurant. Since then, one of the employees also tested positive for Shigellosis.
Souplantation restaurant’s chief operating officer, Greg Keller, has labelled the closure a “precautionary measure.” He confirmed that all the food was disposed of during the closure and the restaurant underwent a complete cleaning and sanitization process. He then added: “We have to literally, as you can imagine, restock the whole restaurant.” According toe Dr. Levine, the county has confidence the restaurant no longer poses a threat.
“We strongly believe it is [safe], otherwise, we wouldn’t reopen it.”
Investigators have not yet pinpointed to a source, but since this is the only restaurant in the Souplantation restaurant chain, it is presumed the Shigella bacteria was introduced by a person at the restaurant and spread through cross-contamination. Dr. Levin confirmed that this was most likely theory, stating “someone became ill and worked in the restaurant and it spread after that.”
Sandra Mitchell and Her Family Sickened
At least one victim has come forward, Sandra Mitchell of North Oxnard California. Sha and her family were sickened, though only her grandson was tested. She told local reports that she was out of work and ill for nine days – about average for a Shigella illness.
According to Dr. Levine, only employees who have passed a stool culture will be allowed to begin working again. As of this last Friday, about 25 of the employees had been cleared, with the same number still waiting on test results as of yesterday.
For more information about Souplantation restaurant Shigella Outbreak, call to speak to a food poisoning lawyer at 1-888-335-4901.
