The Weinberg Law Firm is currently assisting victims of food poisoning outbreaks nationwide. We are ready to help you too.
Mariscos San Juan Shigella Outbreak – The Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD) reported that as of October 20, 2015, more than 80 persons have been sickened with fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea associated with a food poisoning outbreak linked to Mariscos San Juan restaurant #3. The Mariscos San Juan restaurant #3 is located at 205 North 4th Street in San Jose. According to the SCCPHD, 15 of those sickened have been laboratory confirmed for the foodborne pathogen, Shigella.
Mariscos San Juan Shigella Outbreak – Restaurant Remains Closed Until Further Notice
The restaurant was closed by the SCCPHD on the morning of October 18, 2015, and according to officials “will remain closed until the safety of the public can be assured. All possible sources of contamination are currently being investigated.”
Shigella Food Poisoning and Shigellosis
Shigella is a type of bacterium that can cause a gastrointestinal illness referred to as shigellosis, or Shigella food poisoning. Shigella is transmitted from person to person via fecal to oral contact (poop to mouth). The best defense against Shigella is good hygiene including thorough hand washing with soap and water. Persons with Shigella or food poisoning symptoms should not handle food and beverages for others.
Common examples of how Shigella is spread from person to person include:
• Infected food handlers can contaminate food and beverages if they do not adequately wash their hands with soap and water after using the bathroom;
• Consuming produce grown in sewage contaminated fields;
• Flies, which breed in infected feces and then contaminate food;
• Drinking or swimming in Shigella contaminated water. Water may become contaminated if sewage runs into it, or if someone with shigellosis swims in it.
Shigella Symptoms and Complications
Shigellosis symptoms may include watery diarrhea; blood, mucus, or pus in stool; fever; abdominal pain or cramping; nausea and vomiting; tenesmus (straining to have bowel movements); and malaise. Symptoms may appear within 8 hours to as late as 2 days after consuming Shigella contaminated food, water, or beverages. Some individuals who are infected may have no symptoms at all, yet they may still pass the bacteria to others.
Uncomplicated cases of shigellosis usually resolve in 5-7 days. While the illness is often mild, the elderly, young children, and immunocompromised may be more likely to develop severe complications including, rectal bleeding, mucosal ulceration, and/or diarrhea and dehydration. Shigella can be very serious and in rare cases the infection can be fatal.
Complications of shigellosis can also include Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), or Reiter’s Syndrome (reactive arthritis)
What You Can Do If You were Sickened In The Mariscos San Juan Shigella Outbreak
Santa Clara County Public Health Department Advice
The SCCPHD asks that “if you ate Mariscos San Juan restaurant #3 (205 N. 4th Street in San Jose) on Friday or Saturday, October 16th or 17th, 2015, and you had sudden onset of diarrhea and fever within 1-2 days after eating there, please seek medical attention so that you can be tested and, if your symptoms are severe, receive treatment.”
Diagnosis – A Stool Culture Can Confirm Shigella Food Poisoning
Shigella infection is diagnosed by a stool culture, a laboratory test that can detect the bacterium in the stool of an infected person. A stool culture can be ordered by your doctor if he or she thinks that it is appropriate.
Contact The Weinberg Law Firm For A Free Shigella Lawsuit Case Evaluation
If you have been diagnosed with Shigella food poisoning, are awaiting confirmation of infection, or have a question regarding your legal rights, you can request a free personal injury lawsuit case evaluation by calling The Weinberg Law Firm toll free at 1-877-934-6274. You can also contact us online by using the “Free Legal Case Evaluation Form” found on this page.
