Background
This is a rapidly developing case and new information has been made available:
- Cases – According to local health authorities, the number of cases has increased to 24 from the initial 14 cases first reported.
- Hospitalizations – Seven (7) people are now reported to have been hospitalized from this incident, up from the five (5) people first reported earlier this week.
- Deaths – No deaths in this Salmonella outbreak have been reported at this time.
Timeline
Initial cases in the outbreak affected patrons who dined at Aladdin Mediterranean Café on April 25 and April 26, 2025, but since then (according to the Aladdin Mediterranean Café Salmonella Claims Center) there are multiple reports of illnesses from those who ate on the 27th and 28th. The outbreak may continue to grow.
Demographics
Earlier this week, San Diego County officials said that their epidemiologists had identified and confirmed probable cases associated with the outbreak with victims ranging between 18 and 79 years of age.
A breakdown of sex, race, and ethnicity, information routinely collected in food safety investigations, has not yet been released.
Health Risks
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in humans. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, appearing six hours to six days after exposure to the bacteria. These symptoms generally appear 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food. While most people recover without specific treatment, the infection can be severe, especially for young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Lawsuits
The first lawsuit in this Salmonella outbreak was filed yesterday, May 6, 2025 by Ron Simon & Associates, in collaboration with Gomez Trial Attorneys, in San Diego County, California, on behalf of Daniel Meza and Nubia Munguia.
Both Meza and Munguia reported eating a dish of lamb and chicken, along with other food, at Aladdin Mediterranean Cafe on April 26, 2025. Both said that they began to feel ill within a few days of their meal and experienced food poisoning symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and dehydration.
Meza and Munguia both sought medical help and each tested positive for Salmonella infection. Munguia required hospitalization for treatment and both are still recovering from their ordeal.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and potential for long-term health issues related to Salmonella infection.
Besides Meza and Munguia, Ron Simon & Associates said they are representing other victims of this outbreak as well.
Simon, one of the nation’s leading Salmonella lawyers, has advocated for thousands of clients that have been affected by food safety negligence and his firm has collected over $850 million for clients.
