Yet another salmonella outbreak from a “Mexican fusion” style restaurant has been reported, this one from a taqueria in Carniceria Guanajuato located at 3140 N California in Chicago, this according to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), both of which are on the investigation. The IDPH and CDPH are working together to identify victims (asking potential victims to email them at [email protected], working with the food producer on safe food practices, as well as asking medical professionals in the area to be on the lookout for potential victims.
As of the 15th of September, the CDPH had identified nearly 2 dozen victims, Almont half of whom required hospitalization for their salmonella illness. While salmonellosis (the infection of a human host with salmonella) is usually a form of food poisoning that resolves within two to three weeks, in some people the impact can be severe and even life-threatening. About five to six percent of victims, according to one national a food poisoning lawyer, develop long-term Illnesses that include post infectious irritable bowel syndrome and post infectious rheumatoid arthritis. Both IBS and RA can last for years. In some, although rare, recurring salmonellosis can occur, with salmonella getting into the blood or joints and repeat testing confirming ongoing infection even after regimens of antibiotics. A stool culture is the recommended diagnostic tool for salmonella food poisoning. According to a statement made by the CDPH:
“Carniceria Guanajuato voluntarily closed the taqueria on September 8, 2023 and is cooperating with CDPH to determine a source of the infections. If you have purchased prepared food from the taqueria or the prepared food section of the grocery store since August 29, 2023, discard it and do not eat it. If you ate food purchased from the prepared food section (taqueria or prepared foods in the grocery section) since August 29, 2023, you may have been exposed to Salmonella.”
