Image by Chil Vera from Pixabay
A Metro East restaurant, LongHorn Steakhouse remains closed following Shigella illnesses and hospitalizations linked to the establishment.
While the restaurant was rumored to open shortly after the investigation, LongHorn Steakhouse remains closed for the foreseeable future.
Here’s what we know about the spike in food poisoning in Fairview Hights and why LongHorn Steakhouse remains closed to the public.
The St. Clair County Health Department is currently investigating a cluster of gastrointestinal illnesses related to LongHorn Steakhouse in Fairview Heights, Illinois. According to the press release, these illnesses span individuals from many jurisdictions.
LongHorn SteakHouse
6115 North Illinois Street
Fairview Heights, Illinois
So far, 14 people have become sick with Shigella illnesses, with six requiring hospitalizations. Of the 14 reported as of October 2, 2024, 12 indicate dining at the restaurant between September 21 and 22, 2024.
14 people sick
6 hospitalizations
Jory Lange, a food poisoning lawyer at The Lange Law Firm who filed the first Shigella lawsuit in this outbreak last week implies the potential window may be much wider based on feedback from those contacting the firm about their illnesses.
According to Lange, people have become sick after eating at the restaurant as early as September 19, 2024. Some have even reported becoming sick after eating there as late as September 27, 2024.
LongHorn Steakhouse remains closed during the investigation.
The St. Clair County Health Department indicates that “some of the illnesses were caused by Shigelloisis.” Shigellosis is the bacterial infection associated with Shigella. A common foodborne illness germ.
The investigation is in the early stages of determining what exactly is making people sick. St. Clair County Health Department is working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health to track down the cause of the illness and to help prevent additional illnesses.
The press release indicates that the restaurant is cooperating with the investigation, even as LongHorn Steakhouse remains closed at this time.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “the most common ways people get sick are from eating or drinking contaminated food or water and contact with someone who is sick or has recently been sick with Shigella infection.
The germs can be found in the feces (poop) of an infected person. It doesn’t take much to become sick, so trace amounts can easily transfer if an infected person does not effectively wash their hands after bathroom activities.
From there, Shigella can spread from person to person or through contaminated food, surfaces, or objects.
As for this Shigella outbreak, we don’t yet know the source. But we expect that more information will be coming soon. However, in many cases, an infected food handler is a cause.
“We don’t know yet what the cause of this was, whether it was a product coming into the restaurant with Shigella or a sick food handler. If people are preparing food but not correctly washing their hands after using the restroom, that’s how fecal matter can get into food and cause outbreaks like this. That’s how food poisoning outbreaks happen and how Shigella outbreaks happen. It’s typically because there’s human fecal matter in the food; as gross as that sounds, that’s how this happens,” said Lange.
The most recent health inspection at LongHorn Steakhouse prompted by “FBI complaint” on September 27, 2024 has no details so far. However, previous health inspections revealed an ongoing trend with temperature control issues for cold items and food handler training.
The most recent inspection took place earlier this summer. On August 23, 2024, the establishment received several violations including:
Their April 16, 2024 inspection required a follow-up visit due to improper holding temperature and improper cooling method or inadequate equipment for temperature control. Even at the follow-up inspection, improper cooling methods or inadequate equipment was still observed.
Shigella infections cause extended diarrheal illness that usually starts around a day or two after consuming something contaminated with Shigella bacteria.
Common symptoms include:
Most people begin feeling sick in about a week and do not need medical intervention.
In some cases, however infection may be severe.
Call your doctor or seek urgent care if experiencing symptoms such as:
Those with a weakened immune system should call their healthcare professional right away, as illness may be more severe or prolonged, increasing risks of complication.
In some cases, Shigella infections can cause lasting effects. For many, it may take weeks or months before bowel habits return to normal.
Other complications may include:
Even as LongHorn Steakhouse remains closed, more information should be coming available soon. As additional cases are linked to this Shigella outbreak, more lawsuits are expected. Severe illnesses and complications can rack up high medical bills and impact the daily lives of those becoming sick at no fault of their own.
If you have been impacted by this LongHorn Steakhouse outbreak, seek advice from an experienced Shigella lawyer.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has already filed at least one lawsuit in this outbreak. If you have questions about making a legal claim, your answers are just a phone call or email away.
Call (833) 330-3663 or click here to email for a free, no obligation consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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