March 26, 2009:
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - The Onondaga County Health Department says more than 100 people have contacted their office reporting illness after eating at the Applebee's in Camillus.
On Thursday, County Health Commissioner Dr. Cynthia Morrow says 130 people have called her office, and of those 73 appear to be consistent with Shigellosis.
The number of confirmed Shigellosis cases remains at seven; Morrow says she does not think any of these numbers will change significantly over the next few days.
Those seven people were infected with the Shigella bacteria after eating at the Camillus Applebee's on West Genesee Street the weekend of March 7th and 8th; health officials believe anyone who ate at the restaurant between March 1 and 20 may have been exposed.
The Shigella bacteria is associated with consuming water or food contaminated with fecal matter.
Morrow says the restaurant has contributed fully with the investigation, and has "taken extraordinary steps to clean and sanitize the facility and reinforce training of employees."
Morrow says all of the employees at the restaurant have tested negative for Shigella and given clearance to work.
Applebee's is asking any customers with concerns to contact them on a dedicated toll-free phone line at
1-877-593-8555.
The health department is asking all individuals who recently ate at the Camillus Applebee’s on West Genesee Street and have gastrointestinal symptoms to contact their doctor and to call the health department at 435-6607.
March 25, 2009:
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Cynthia Morrow says more than 50 people have reported falling ill after recently eating at the Applebee’s in Camillus.
Morrow says 52 people have contacted her office after the department confirmed seven cases of Shigellosis from those who ate at the restaurant the weekend of March 7th and 8th.
Health officials believe anyone who ate at the restaurant between March 1st and 20th may have been exposed.
Morrow says there is no change in the number of confirmed Shigellosis cases.
The Shigella bacteria is associated with consuming water or food contaminated with fecal matter.
Morrow says most people infected with Shigella develop painful or bloody diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps beginning a day or two after being exposed to the bacteria.
Morrow says the disease, which may be worse in children, typically resolves in five to seven days. Medical treatment is sometimes necessary.
March 24, 2009:
7 cases of food-borne illness reported at Camillus Applebee’s
Camillus (WSYR-TV) – The Onondaga County Health Department has confirmed seven cases of food-borne illness in people who recently ate at the Applebee’s in Camillus.
County Health Commissioner Dr. Cynthia Morrow says all seven people had contracted Shigellosis. The Shigella bacteria, Morrow says, is associated with consuming water or food contaminated with fecal matter.
Those who are confirmed ill ate at the restaurant on either Saturday, March 7th or Sunday, March 8th, but the overall window that the Health Department is looking at is between Sunday, March 1st and Friday, March 20th.
Up to 9,000 people may have been exposed to the bacteria.
Morrow says the department is focusing on citrus -- either lemons or limes -- that may have been put in food or in drinks, but she says they haven't isolated citrus as the sole source of the bacteria.
The health department waited until Tuesday to announce the illnesses because it had sent stool samples to the lab, and had just gotten the results back.
Morrow says most people infected with Shigella develop painful or bloody diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps beginning a day or two after being exposed to the bacteria.
Morrow says the disease, which may be worse in children, typically resolves in five to seven days. Medical treatment is sometimes necessary.
Morrow says Shigella is usually spread from an infected person to other people; an infected person can spread the germ up to four weeks after onset.
If you ate at the restaurant and have not gotten sick yet, chances are you will be okay; the Health Department does not believe the contamination is an ongoing issue, although they’re not yet certain.
The health department is asking all individuals who recently ate at the Camillus Applebee’s on West Genesee Street and have gastrointestinal symptoms to contact their doctor and to call the health department at 435-6607.
Morrow says more cases are expected as the department continues its investigation.
Health officials are now testing all employees at the restaurant, and they expect to get the results back in about ten days.
Applebee's tells NewsChannel 9 the restaurant, which remains open, is fully cooperating with the investigation, and that no problems were found at the restaurant during a health inspection on Monday.
Stopping the spread of Shigellosis
To prevent the spread of Shigellosis, the health department recommends the following:
- Wash hands with soap and water carefully and frequently, especially after using the bathroom, after changing diapers and before preparing food or beverages
- Dispose of soiled diapers properly
- Disinfect diaper-changing areas after using them
- Keep children with diarrhea out of child care settings
- Supervise hand washing of toddlers and small children after they use the toilet
- Do not prepare food for others while ill with diarrhea
