North Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - The Onondaga County Health Department says 60 people have become ill because of raw clams served at an event at Hinerwadel's Grove in North Syracuse.
The Health Department says so far, all of the illnesses have been linked to a clambake September 15th for the CNY Builders Exchange. Approximately 3,800 members attended that clambake.
The reported symptoms are related to Campylacter, a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, cramps, and fever. The incubation period for the infection is usually two to five days, but it can last as long as 10 days. Symptoms can last up to two weeks.
The Health Department is asking that anyone who ate at the facility and became ill to call (315) 435-6607.
Infection linked to raw clams at Hinerwadel's Grove
October 5
North Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - The Onondaga County Health Department has discovered a link between at least seven cases of gastrointestinal infection and a dining facility in North Syracuse.
According to the Health Department, the people all ate at Hinerwadel's Grove on Sept. 15 before coming down with symptoms related to Campylacter, a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, cramps, and fever.
The facility hosted a clambake for approximately 3,800 members of the Central New York Builders' Exchange on that date. The Health Department believes the infection can be traced to raw clams.
Onondaga County Health Commissioner Cynthia Morrow said she expects more cases of the infection to be reported. The health commissioner noted that anyone who eats raw clams is taking their chances with illness. "You take a risk every time you consume raw shellfish. That's a reality. And people need to be informed when they choose to eat raw shellfish - that they're taking a risk," she said.
The incubation period for the infection is usually two to five days, but it can last as long as 10 days. Symptoms can last up to two weeks.
The Health Department is asking that anyone who ate at the facility and became ill on or after Sept. 15 to call (315) 435-6607.
During a late-morning press conference Tuesday, Morrow said that reports of more sick people had arrived. She stressed that it was important that those with symptoms visit a doctor. "We were just recently notified that there are some people who are still sick," Morrow said. "So, it's important for people to understand, if they did eat at this event, if they are currently ill with gastrointestinal symptoms, they really should go see their primary care provider."
The Health Department said that it is investigating the incident, but no improper food handling procedures have been identified.
Shortly after the news of illness broke, Vicki Hinerwadel released a statement in which she says she's relieved no improper handling of food was discovered. She also noted that each serving station has an FDA approved sign warning people about the dangers of eating raw clams.
Hinerwadel's Grove doesn't hide hazards associated with raw clams
North Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Hinerwadel's Grove owner Vicky Hinerwadel knows there are certain risks associated with eating raw clams. And she makes sure her customers know the risks too. At each serving station in her venue in North Syracuse, Hinerwadel has placed a sign warning that there are hazards associated with raw clams.
Nevertheless, they remain a popular dish even after the Hinerwadel family has been serving them for 96 years. "It's just that people want them," Hinerwadel said. "They've been served for clambakes here for years. It's just tradition and part of the clambake."
During the last couple of years, Hinerwadel was problem-free, until an Onondaga County Health Department announcement Tuesday morning.
Department Commissioner Cynthia Morrow revealed that seven people had become ill after eating raw clams at a Central New York Builders' Exchange gathering of some 3,800. She also said that the Department anticipates discovering many more people sickened by eating raw clams at the event.
The Health Department stressed that the infections did not seem to stem from mishandled food. Hinerwadel only orders its clams from specially certified diggers and dealers in Miane.
After serving 30,000 people this year, Hinerwadel says she won't be offering raw clams during her last three bakes this year. "This has just hit us like a ton of bricks," she said. "At this point, we just have to do a lot of thinking about it."
Hinerwadel says she is waiting for a final finding from the Health Department before she stops selling raw clams for good. She does say she won't offer raw clams from Maine anymore.
