California - Shigella outbreak linked to restaurant exposure in San Jose - 190 people sickened

[Pathfinder]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2015, 4:30 p.m.
Media Contact:
Allison Thrash, Health Information Officer
Santa Clara County Public Health Department
Office: 408-792-5155; Mobile: 669-225-0050
Allison.Thrash@phd.sccgov.org

UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING SHIGELLA OUTBREAK LINKED TO
RESTAURANT EXPOSURE IN SAN JOSE

Santa Clara County, CA: Since Saturday October 17th, over 80 individuals have become
acutely ill with fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea and have been reported to the Santa
Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD); all of these reported cases are
associated with the outbreak at Mariscos San Juan restaurant #3 (205 N. 4th Street in San
Jose). Many of the ill persons reported to SCCPHD have required hospital admission, of
which 12 required admission to intensive care. Thus far, at least 15 of the reported cases
are laboratory confirmed with Shigella (shigellosis). The investigation of this Shigella
outbreak is ongoing, and lab results from additional cases are expected to arrive daily.

The restaurant was closed on the morning of Sunday, October 18th by SCCPHD and the
Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health (DEH), and it will remain closed
until the safety of the public can be assured. All possible sources of contamination are
currently being investigated.

Shigellosis is an extremely contagious diarrheal disease caused by a group of bacteria
called Shigella. To help control the spread of this disease people should practice careful
hand washing (using soap) and ill persons should not prepare or handle food for others.

Symptoms of shigellosis typically start within 1?2 days after exposure and include:
diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, abdominal pain, tenesmus (a painful sensation of
needing to pass stools even when bowels are empty), and vomiting. It is spread by eating
or drinking something that has come into contact with stool of a person infected with
Shigella. For example, food may become contaminated if it has been prepared by an
infected food handler; water may be contaminated by infected fecal matter; or hands can
be contaminated while changing the diaper of an infected child or caring for an infected
person.

In persons with healthy immune systems, symptoms usually last about 5 to 7 days.
Persons with diarrhea usually recover completely, although it may be several months
before their bowel habits are entirely normal. Shigella can be very serious and in rare
cases, fatal. Patients with severe diarrhea or vomiting may become dehydrated and
require immediate medical attention to prevent shock.

If you ate at Mariscos San Juan restaurant #3 (205 N. 4th Street in San Jose) on Friday or
Saturday, October 16th or 17th, and you had sudden onset of diarrhea and fever within 1?2
days after eating there, please seek medical attention so that you can be tested and, if
your symptoms are severe, receive treatment.

Deputy Health Officer Dr. George Han and Director of Consumer Protection Division at the
Department of Environmental Health, Michael Balliet will give a brief statement providing
updates to the media tomorrow (Wednesday, October 21st) from 10:30 ? 10:45 a.m.
at 976 Lenzen Ave, San Jose CA 95126.
#

https://www.sccgov.org/sites/sccphd...s/2015 News Releases/Shigella-10-20-15-PM.pdf
https://www.sccgov.org/sites/sccphd/en-us/pages/phd.aspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

San Jose restaurant food poisoning: More than 80 sick after outbreak at Mariscos San Juan

By Joe Rodriguezjrodriguez@mercurynews.com
POSTED: 10/20/2015 08:37:46 AM PDT20 COMMENTS
UPDATED: 10/21/2015 06:33:16 AM PDT

SAN JOSE -- Santa Clara County health officials Tuesday said up to 80 people have been sickened and 12 required intensive care treatment at hospitals after contracting Shigella, an easily transmittable bacteria, traced to a downtown seafood eatery, and they feared more than 100 other people could become infected over the next few days.

"It's very, very infectious," Public Health Director Sara Cody said during a news conference. "It doesn't take very much for this bacteria to spread."
...

http://www.mercurynews.com/health/ci_28995979/update-dozens-sickened-12-intensive-care-after-eating

 

[Pathfinder]

Shigella Information for Clinicians

Updated Information Regarding Ongoing Shigella Outbreak

October 21, 2015, 10:30 a.m.

The number of reported cases of Shigella now stands at 93 cases; with 24 lab confirmed; many have required hospitalization. We are still getting information, but it looks like the majority of the patients who were being cared for in the ICU have improved and have been discharged or moved to other units in the hospital. We are still receiving reports of cases from healthcare providers.

What the public health department is focused on right now is the outbreak investigation, counting and following up on reported cases. We are now at the point in the outbreak where we are starting to see some secondary infections, but we don’t have an exact number at this time.

Please let your patients and staff know that Shigella is extremely contagious. People with diarrhea – even mild - must not work, especially healthcare providers, food service workers, and childcare workers. An emphasis on proper and frequent hand washing is very important in preventing continued spread.

https://www.sccgov.org/sites/sccphd/.../Shigella.aspx

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Santa Clara County: Shigella outbreak victims now up to 110

By Joe Rodrigezjrodriguez@mercurynews.com
POSTED: 10/22/2015 10:24:12 AM PDT0
UPDATED: ABOUT 2 HOURS AGO

SAN JOSE -- Santa Clara County health authorities Thursday said the number of Shigella cases linked to a downtown San Jose eatery has reached 110 and urged people to carefully wash their hands to avoid transmitting the disease.

Officials also reported that the outbreak now includes victims in Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties.
...

http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-...victims-now-up

 

[Pathfinder]

Shigella Information for Clinicians

Updated Information Regarding Ongoing Shigella Outbreak

October 23, 2015, 10 a.m.

As of 5:00 p.m. last night (October 22, 2015) the number of outbreak associated cases of Shigella reported to Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD) has risen to 141; 118 of these cases are Santa Clara County residents and 23 reported cases are people who live in other counties. Of the 141 total cases, 49 are lab confirmed; 35 of which are Santa Clara County residents. There are 14 confirmed cases from other jurisdictions, including San Mateo County, Alameda County and Santa Cruz County. Almost all of the cases ate at Mariscos San Juan #3 restaurant on Friday or Saturday (October 16th or 17th).

SCCPHD remains focused on the outbreak investigation and continues to work closely with our colleagues in other affected counties and with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). We are still receiving reported cases from healthcare providers. Mariscos San Juan #3 restaurant remains closed. We expect to have lab results next week from all food handlers who work at Mariscos San Juan #3 restaurant.

Please continue reporting cases to us and sending Shigella isolates to our county public health lab. So far, all cultures have come back as Shigella sonnei.

Be sure to educate patients about careful, frequent hand washing to prevent spread. We expect to see some secondary infections.

Please let your patients and staff know that Shigella is extremely contagious. People with diarrhea ? even mild - must not work: especially healthcare providers, food service workers, and childcare workers. Tell individuals who work in a sensitive occupation like these that they can?t return to work until cleared by Public Health.

Patients who are clearly getting better may not need treatment, but do consider treating those with slow recoveries, or individuals who work in a sensitive occupation such as food service, healthcare, or child care.

Thank you for your continued help in this investigation.

https://www.sccgov.org/sites/sccphd/en-us/HealthProviders/Diseases/Shigella/Pages/Shigella.aspx

 

[Pathfinder]

Shigella Information for Clinicians

Updated Information Regarding Ongoing Shigella Outbreak

October 26, 2015, 10 a.m.

As of 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2015, the number of outbreak associated cases of Shigella reported to Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD) now stands at 182; 144 of these cases are Santa Clara County residents and 38 reported cases are people who live in other counties. Of the 182 total cases, 72 are lab confirmed; 55 of which are Santa Clara County residents. There are 17 confirmed cases from other jurisdictions, including San Mateo , Alameda, Santa Cruz, Marin and Merced Counties. Nearly all of the cases have reported that they ate at Mariscos San Juan #3 restaurant on Friday October 16th or Saturday October 17th.

SCCPHD remains focused on the outbreak investigation and we continue to work closely with our colleagues in other affected counties and with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Mariscos San Juan #3 restaurant remains closed.

Please continue reporting cases to us and sending Shigella isolates to our county public health lab. So far, all cultures have come back as Shigella sonnei.

Be sure to educate patients about careful, frequent hand washing to prevent spread. We expect to see some secondary infections.

Please let your patients and staff know that Shigella is extremely contagious. People with diarrhea ? even mild - must not work: especially healthcare providers, food service workers, and childcare workers. Tell individuals who work in a sensitive occupation like these that they can?t return to work until cleared by Public Health.

Patients who are clearly getting better may not need treatment, but do consider treating those with slow recoveries, or individuals who work in a sensitive occupation such as food service, healthcare, or child care.

Thank you for your continued help in this investigation.

https://www.sccgov.org/sites/sccphd/en-us/HealthProviders/Diseases/Shigella/Pages/Shigella.aspx

 

[Pathfinder]

Shigella Information for Clinicians

Updated Information Regarding Ongoing Shigella Outbreak

October 28, 2015, 10 a.m.

As of Monday night, October 27, 2015, the number of outbreak associated cases of Shigella reported to Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD) now stands at 190; 151 of these cases are Santa Clara County residents and 39 reported cases are people who live in other counties. Of the 190 total cases, 92 are lab confirmed; 72 of which are Santa Clara County residents. There are 20 confirmed cases from other jurisdictions, including San Mateo , Alameda, Santa Cruz, Marin and Merced Counties. Nearly all of the cases have reported that they ate at Mariscos San Juan #3 restaurant on Friday October 16th or Saturday October 17th.

SCCPHD remains focused on the outbreak investigation and we continue to work closely with our colleagues in other affected counties and with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Mariscos San Juan #3 restaurant remains closed.

Please continue reporting cases to us and sending Shigella isolates to our county public health lab. So far, all cultures have come back as Shigella sonnei.

Be sure to educate patients about careful, frequent hand washing to prevent spread. We expect to see some secondary infections.

Please let your patients and staff know that Shigella is extremely contagious. People with diarrhea ? even mild - must not work: especially healthcare providers, food service workers, and childcare workers. Tell individuals who work in a sensitive occupation like these that they can?t return to work until cleared by Public Health.

Patients who are clearly getting better may not need treatment, but do consider treating those with slow recoveries, or individuals who work in a sensitive occupation such as food service, healthcare, or child care.

Thank you for your continued help in this investigation.

https://www.sccgov.org/sites/sccphd/en-us/HealthProviders/Diseases/Shigella/Pages/Shigella.aspx

 

[Pathfinder]

WORKER TESTS POSITIVE FOR SHIGELLA AT RESTAURANT LINKED TO 200 CASES

Bay City News
Updated 49 mins ago

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Laboratory tests have returned for food service workers at a Mexican seafood restaurant in San Jose, which has been closed for nearly two weeks since almost 200 people fell ill, of which nearly 100 have been found with an infectious bacterial disease, Santa Clara County public health officials said today.

One of the workers at Mariscos San Juan #3 restaurant at 205 N. Fourth St. tested positive for shigella, a contagious diarrhoeal illness that has also been caught by 94 people in six counties, public health officials.

It doesn't appear the worker with shigella caused the outbreak, based on the onset of symptoms experienced by the individual, according to public health officials.

The tested employees worked at the restaurant on Oct. 16 or 17, the two days that a majority of the sick ate at the business, public health officials said.

...
http://abc7news.com/health/worker-t...la-at-restaurant-linked-to-200-cases/1058184/

 

[Pathfinder]

No "smoking gun" in Shigella outbreak

By Joe Rodriguez@mercurynews.com

POSTED: 10/30/2015 06:54:21 AM PDT0 COMMENTS| UPDATED: ABOUT 5 HOURS AGO

SAN JOSE -- ....

County officials didn't find the bacteria -- which cause severe diarrhea -- in any of the food samples at Mariscos San Juan restaurant on Fourth Street. And they said the only worker who appears to have been infected, a food handler authorities did not identify, appears to have become ill from eating the food just like nearly all the other victims who were customers.

"It's quite likely we'll never be able to pinpoint the source of the outbreak," said Dr. George Han, deputy health officer for the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health.
...
Officials said the spread of the disease appears to be winding down, as the number of new cases has slowed to a trickle.

Han said it is possible that an infected employee could have carried the bacteria to the restaurant without feeling ill and later shown no signs of having had it when tested.


http://www.contracostatimes.com/bre...-officials-say-restaurant-worker-had-shigella