Hopkins County, Kentucky announced an outbreak of Giardia illness linked to local restaurant El Tapatio.
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.
Recommendations for the Public
If you are currently experiencing symptoms of Giardia infection, visit your doctor to get tested. Your doctor may prescribe you antibiotics for this infection, but some people may get better without medication.
People can become sick with Giardia by eating or drinking the Giardia parasite or by touching something contaminated with the parasite and then touching the mouth. It only takes a small amount of Giardia to make a person sick. If you are sick with symptoms of Giardia infection, you can help keep it from spreading:
- Wash your hands often using warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use a separate bathroom from other household members. If a separate bathroom is not available, clean and disinfect surfaces in the bathroom after each use.
- Do not prepare food for others while you are sick.
- Do not go swimming.
- Stay home from school, daycare, or jobs in healthcare or food service until your symptoms have resolved for at least 24 hours (without taking medicine that would mask symptoms).
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Symptoms of Giardia
Common symptoms of Giardia are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea, which may contain blood and/or mucus
- Stomach Cramps
- Fever
Acute giardiasis develops after an incubation period of 1 to 14 days (average of 7 days) and usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. In chronic giardiasis the symptoms are recurrent and malabsorption and debilitation may occur.
