Protecting families from contaminated food and water
All fields are required
Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on July 21, 2025
A Giardia outbreak at El Tapatio Mexican Cantina has hit Hopkins County, Kentucky.
But what exactly does that mean?
What is Giardia? How is the Giardia outbreak at El Tapatio Mexican Cantina connected? How do you know if you have a Giardia infection?
Let’s explore!
The Hopkins County Health Department is currently investigating a Giardia outbreak that, as of July 11, has sickened at 23 people so far.
Likely more.
The county typically sees a handful of Giardia cases a year. So, this is a cause for concern.
Health officials have traced half of the patients in the current Giardia outbreak to a restaurant in Madisonville, Kentucky.
El Tapatio Mexican Cantina.
“As of July 11, over half of the cases of Giardia associated with this outbreak have been linked to El Tapatio restaurant in Madisonville.”
The Hopkins County Health Department is actively investigating this Giardia Outbreak at El Tapatio Mexican Cantina. County Health Department Environmentalists and Public Health investigators have taken samples and inspected the restaurant.
While there, environmentalists found a refrigeration problem.
According to a news release, the restaurant’s “walk-in refrigerator had temperatures outside of the recommended range.”
In response, the restaurant was ordered to dispose of that food and close for maintenance.
Additionally, food service retraining was offered to restaurant employees prior to reopening.
At this time, a specific food source at El Tapatio Mexican Cantina has not been identified. Results of the samples taken from the restaurant have not yet been made available to the public. However, significant epidemiological evidence points to El Tapatio Mexican Cantina.
Giardia is a single-celled parasite that can cause serious illness.
Giardiasis.
You won’t be able to see these creepy crawly germs in your food because they are microscopic. Food will not look, taste, or smell any different when contaminated with this parasite.
Where exactly does Giardia come from?
Untreated water is a common source of Giardia food poisoning.
These parasites are deposited in rivers, streams, and lakes (surface water) by infected animal waste.
When this surface water contaminates ground or drinking water, people are exposed to these harmful microbes. Even well water can become contaminated by the time it reaches the tap. Giardia parasites form protective cysts, making them difficult to kill in a drinking water source.
People can become infected by drinking, washing their hands, or washing fruits and vegetables with contaminated water.
While contaminated drinking water is one of the most common ways people get Giardia infections, it isn’t a leap for residents to worry about their drinking water.
Do residents need to worry?
The Hopkins County Health Department says no.
“Currently, there is no concern with drinking water in the county. Treated drinking water is unlikely to be a concern for Giardia,” say the County press release.
Giardia infections are the most common waterborne parasitic illness in the United States. These illnesses are often attributed to contaminated water and foodborne outbreaks. While not overly common, the types of foods (their origin), restaurants with poor staff hygiene or produce washing procedures, and other factors may contribute to Giardia outbreaks at Mexican food restaurants.
Fortunately, some lucky people never develop signs or symptoms. So, they never know they are infected. 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.
Giardia symptoms often start 1 to 2 weeks after becoming infected with Giardia parasites and last for 2 to 6 weeks.
In some cases, illness is not that straightforward. Relapses are common, as are certain long-term complications.
Around 1 in 3 people with Giardia infection experience long-term symptoms that can last for years.
Long-term complications may include:
If you have been impacted by the Giardia outbreak at El Tapatio Mexican Cantina or experience Giardia symptoms, there are a few things you should do right away.
If you have a Giardia infection, you can pass this parasite on to others.
The Hopkins County Health Department advises, “if you have diarrhea, please do not work, especially in food service, daycare, or health care settings, until the diarrhea has resolved [for 24 hours].”
The first line of defense in preventing just about any foodborne illness is effective hand washing.
Wash your hands:
Do not prepare food for others if you are sick with Giardia infection. If possible, have another family member take on that task for at least 24 hours after diarrhea symptoms have resolved. 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 this Giardia Outbreak at El Tapatio Mexican Cantina or other Giardia outbreak, it is a good idea to get advice from an experienced Giardia Food Poisoning Lawyer.
Medical bills, lost work, caring for a sick loved one, and other burdens associated with Giardia infection add up. Especially for a highly contagious and prolonged illness like Giardia. A Giardia Food Poisoning Lawyer can answer questions that you have, gather important reports and documents to support your case, and investigate the source of your illness.
You don’t do this alone. But you will want to reach out soon. The faster you get help, the more likely important details and records can be recovered.
A Giardia Food Poisoning Lawyer can help with this!
If you have been impacted by this Giardia Outbreak and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Giardia 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!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)