A possible Salmonella outbreak in Odessa, Texas is potentially associated with Ajuua’s Mexican Restaurant. Two confirmed cases have been identified by the Ector County Health Department, and they are investigating another possible 18 illnesses. At least one person is hospitalized as a result of their illness.
The restaurant voluntarily closed on Monday, June 6, 2016 after the health department told them of the illnesses.The restaurant passed a food inspection that afternoon, but decided to close anyway. Management is having the restaurant sanitized, and giving employees food safety training.
Reports of illness began on Friday June 3, 2016, when some people called the health department and claimed they got sick after eating at the restaurant on June 1, 2016. Public health officials do not yet know if the illnesses were caused by ill restaurant workers, contaminated food, or another source. Samples are being tested at labs.
The symptoms of a salmonellosis (Salmonella infection) include fever, chills, headache, muscle pains, diarrhea that may be bloody, nausea, and vomiting. People usually get sick about 12 to 72 hours after exposure to the pathogenic bacteria. Most people recover without medical treatment in four to seven days, but some people get so ill they need to be hospitalized for treatment. Children, the elderly, and anyone with a chronic illness or a compromised immune system are more likely to have serious complications from salmonellosis.
If you ate at that restaurant in late May or early June and have been experiencing the symptoms of a Salmonella infection, please see your doctor. Treatment is important, and since there are long term complications of this type of infection that can be serious, there should be a record of this illness on your medical chart.
