43 Sick with Salmonella in RI, 1 Dead
Rhode Island Samonella Outbreak investigators are probing 43 illnesses, 22 hospitalizations and one death as part of their work to untangle one of the worst foodborne illness events known in the state. The person who died was a man in his 80s from Providence County and health officials are determining if he ate any cream-filled pastries or other baked goods from DeFusco's Bakery.
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The Rhode Island Department of Health has tied the outbreak (one case patient is from Massachusetts) to cream-filled zeppole and possibly other baked goods made by DeFusco's in Johnston, where inspectors found food safety violations. The production facility was voluntarily closed by the owner pending the investigation. Health officials were first notified of trouble when 11 residents of a nursing home in Warwick fell ill Friday, including seven who went to the hospital. DeFusco's zeppole had been brought into the nursing home as a treat.
The high hospitalization rate -- nearly half of those who fall ill are admitted -- is related to a sizable number of catering events at nursing homes and care facilities in Warwick, West Warwick, Coventry and Riverside, RI. Young children and the elderly are the two groups who are most susceptible to severe illness from Salmonellosis, including Reiter's Syndrome, because their immune systems can be weakened or underdeveloped.
Nationally recognized food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker has called on DeFusco's to immediately pay medical expenses, lost wages, travel costs, related daycare bills and other expense incurred by families to deal with these bacterial infections -- many of which could have long-term health implications. Taking accountability for the contamination would at least bring some peace of mind to the families until a Rhode Island Salmonella zeppole lawsuit can be filed.
To contact Mr. Pritzker and fellow attorney David Szerlag, who is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our firm's contact form. PritzkerOlsen, P.A., is actively involved in efforts to prevent outbreaks of food poisoning in the United States, while also holding wrongdoers accountable.
