San Diego Shigella Outbreak Linked to Filibertos
Ten people in the San Diego area have reported symptoms of Shigella poisoning (shigellosis), which include fever, watery or bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. San Diego County health officials have linked the ten illnesses to Filibertos restaurant in San Diego, California. People may have been exposed to Shigella by eating at the establishment between Aug. 24 and Aug. 28. The restaurant was closed by San Diego County health officials on Thursday, August 31, and will remain closed until all violations have been addressed.
"This can be a very serious illness; three of these people were hospitalized," said San Diego County Public Health Officer Nancy Bowen, M.D. "It is important that anyone who has eaten there since Aug. 24 and has the typical symptoms seek medical advice from their physician."
Symptoms of Shigella poisoning (shigellosis) usually begin within two days of eating or drinking infected food items and usually last five to seven days. It is important that people wash their hands after using the bathroom as Shigella is very infectious. "It is very important that anyone who may have been exposed and works in food handling, childcare or health care stay home from work until they have been seen by their physician, so they do not spread the illness," said Bowen.
Although the California Shigella outbreak has been traced to Filibertos, a San Diego, California, restaurant, the exact food causing the Shigella outbreak has not yet been determined and is part of the ongoing investigation.
Pritzker | Ruohonen is one of the few law firms in the United States that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation, including Shigella lawsuits. To contact a lawyer for a free consultation, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or e-mail fhp@pritzkerlaw.com.
