The news is reporting that the restaurant at the center of a Giardia Outbreak in Hopkins County, Kentucky has been announced. El Tapatio restaurant has been confirmed as the source of the Hopkins County Giardia Outbreak. Here is everything we know about this El Tapatio Giardia Outbreak:
Officials say Hopkins County and State environmentalists have been onsite taking samples and will be doing food service training.
They say they noticed a temperature problem with the walk-in refrigerator. But that wasn’t the only issue.
According to the local news:
As of July 11, there has been an over 50% commonality established with the Giardia outbreak and El Tapatio restaurant,” Friday’s update from the health department says.
State and local officials have been at El Tapatio taking samples, and will be doing food service training.
While at El Tapatio, officials say it was noted that the walk-in refrigerator had a “temperature excursion.” They say the food will be disposed of, and the restaurant will be closed for maintenance and specific training.
The health department says there are other areas being investigated for commonalities as well, but that there’s no concern with the drinking water in the county.
At this time, 24 people are reported sick.
On July 7th, the Hopkine County Health Department took to social media to inform the community about a rise in Giardia cases:
Today, they confirmed El Tapatio was the restaurant at the center of the outbreak:
This Giardia outbreak involves the microscopic parasite known as Giardia.
We often associate foodborne illnesses with bacteria. But viruses and parasites can also contaminate food and spread illness.
In the case of Giardia, this illness can be foodborne (from infected food workers), waterborne (from contaminated water supply, including municipal water systems), or from the environment.
In fact, Giardia infections are one of the most common causes of waterborne disease in the United States.
You can become infected with Giardia in several different ways. From swallowing contaminated water, from eating contaminated food, as well as person-to-person contact.
Swallowing contaminated water is one of the most common ways to become infected with Giardia parasites.
Whether from agricultural runoff, animal feces, or contamination with wastewater, ground and surface water have many opportunities for contamination. Even pools and spas are vulnerable. Either from animal contamination, children in diapers, or infected people with diarrhea.
You can become infected by eating contaminated food.
Food can become contaminated from food handlers infected with the parasite that do not wash their hands thoroughly. Contamination may also happen if raw produce is irrigated or washed with contaminated water.
Fortunately, cooking kills Giardia parasites. However, drinking water is usually considered safe and does not undergo that kind of heat treatment unless a boil water ordinance is in place. So water is often a Giardia source more so than food.
Giardia infections happen through what is called “fecal-oral-route.” It is exactly as gross as it sounds. Contaminated feces enters the mouth in some way. Even microscopic amounts of contaminated feces can cause infection.
Sometimes it is obvious. You change a diaper, help someone in the bathroom, or come into contact with another person’s poop in some other way.
Others are not so obvious.
A Giardia outbreak is not uncommon with children in child care centers and child care workers, because kids generally do not have the self-awareness that most adults have. Putting their hands down the back of their pants to scratch an itch and then continuing to play with community-use toys. That type of thing regularly happens. If a child is infected with Giardia, other children are likely to share that germ as well.
Sharing is caring, after all. Except when it comes to a Giardia outbreak.
Some lucky people never develop signs or symptoms of infection. Despite being asymptomatic, they can still spread infection to others.
For those who do get sick, symptoms may include:
Most people begin feeling sick between one and three weeks after exposure. Illness typically lasts two to six weeks. Sometimes longer.
Several medications are used to treat giardia parasites. But not everyone responds to them.
If you become sick in a Giardia outbreak or experience a Giardia infection, there are a few things you should do.
I cannot stress this enough. Effective hand washing can prevent the spread of many types of illnesses. Including Giardia infections.
Wash your hands!
If you are sick with Giardia infection, do not prepare food for others. If possible, have another family member take on that task until you are no longer infectious. If you work in the food industry, follow your local heath department’s guidelines for intestinal illness and report your condition to your supervisor.
If you have become seriously ill from a Giardia outbreak or Giardia infection, it is a good idea to get advice from an experienced Food Poisoning Lawyer.
Medical bills, lost work, caring for a sick loved one, and other burdens associated with Giardia infection add up. A Food Poisoning Lawyer can answer questions that you have, and even some that you have not thought of.
If you have been impacted by this Giardia Outbreak and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Food Poisoning Lawyer that can help.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has successfully represented cases just like yours and won millions of dollars in food poisoning and products liabilities lawsuits.
Reach out by calling (833) 330-3663 or send us an email for a free, no obligation consultation.
Don’t wait. Call today to get the justice you deserve!
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