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Public health officials recently released news of an E. coli outbreak in Chicago, Illinois.
Customers of a Carbón Live Fire Mexican Grill in the city have contracted the disease, STEC (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli) after having a meal at the restaurant.
Officials would not say how many of these victims had to be hospitalized for their conditions, but they did say that the number of E. coli-infected victims did double in size over the past eight days.
On Tuesday, public health spokesperson Matt Smith said 54 Chicago residents had been diagnosed with STEC by Saturday, July 9th.
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) continues to urge any recent Carbón patrons to seek medical attention if they became ill shortly after dining at the restaurant.
Thus far, it is unclear whether the restaurant’s employees have been tested for E. coli or whether the restaurant itself has been investigated to determine the source of the E. coli contamination (i.e. through food preparation methods or by food-contact surfaces).
Smith also did not provide any details of the patients’ conditions, so no one can safely conclude how dangerous and widespread this E. coli outbreak has been.
The only advice that has been given thus far in this Chicago outbreak has been general; the CDC says that an E. coli infection won’t be severe for all victims, but it is important for everyone to get treated, lest their condition worsens.
The Carbón Live Fire Mexican Grill storefront remains closed, but a different location has reopened its doors after passing safety tests from public health officials.
Until more details have been officially released, we can safely assume that the investigation will continue…
