Seven people are hospitalized due to a salmonella outbreak in Hamilton, Canada.
The Piper Arms Stoney Creek restaurant has been closed by public health officials until further notice. A total of 9 people showed symptoms after eating at the restaurant.
Local health authorities are urging people to report and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms including diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal cramps.
Kim Gibson said her sister and brother-in-law, 50, were “well one day and very sick two days later” after dining there for a ‘wing night’ on March 31.
The Stoney Creek couple suffered from increasingly severe abdominal pain and diarrhea for several days and ended up being admitted to two different hospitals. One was in Juravinski Hospital with kidney problems and the other was in St. Louis recovering from a salmonella blood infection and myocarditis, a heart disease. It was at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.
Public health officials reported that both people were discharged from the hospital a few days later. According to Hamilton Public Health, most people identified as part of the salmonella outbreak experienced symptoms between March 30 and April 5.
Salmonella is a bacteria commonly found in raw or undercooked foods such as poultry, eggs, meat and unpasteurized products, and can also be spread through contaminated produce or improper food handling, the FDA said.
Salmonella infection typically occurs 6 to 48 hours after exposure and can last for several days. “Most individuals recover without treatment. However, children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems may be at higher risk for serious illness.”
The agency says people who have eaten at the Piper Arms Stoney Creek and are experiencing symptoms should:
- If symptoms are severe or worsening, seek medical attention. If you do not have a health care provider, call Health811 (811).
- Stay home while sick to prevent the spread of infection.
- Practice good hand hygiene.
- Report the illness to Hamilton Public Health by calling 905-546-2424 ext. 7970.
“Individuals without symptoms should continue to monitor for symptoms and practice hand hygiene and safe food handling practices,” the statement said.
The company’s Stoney Creek location, which has several other locations including Burlington and Brantford, opened in January, according to a post on the company’s Instagram account. Located at 1786 Stone Church Rd. E.
Public Health ordered the temporary closure of the restaurant on Monday “to support the ongoing investigation and protect public health.” Authorities said they conducted inspections there Friday and Monday to review food handling and hygiene practices. Food samples were also collected for laboratory testing.
Public Health said so far it has not identified anything that needs to be fixed.
“The closure, however, allows Public Health to complete its investigation and ensure the facility is operating safely before reopening,” the statement said. “The investigation is ongoing and no specific food has been identified as the cause of the illness.”
A sign posted on the restaurant’s door acknowledges “reported illness concerns” and says the restaurant is undergoing “full sanitization” and a review of its food handling procedures.
