St. Clair County Health Department is investigating the cause of a cluster of gastrointestinal illnesses among customers who dined at the LongHorn Steakhouse in Fairview Heights.
The restaurant has voluntarily closed Wednesday and Thursday. Officials determined that some of the illnesses were caused by shigellosis, an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called shigella. As of Wednesday afternoon, the department had received 14 reports from people testing positive for shigella. Twelve had dined at the LongHorn Steakhouse at 6115 N. Illinois St. between Sept. 21 and 22. Six cases have required hospitalization, according to the health department.
Recommendations for the Public
If you are currently experiencing symptoms of shigella 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 shigellosis by eating or drinking the shigella bacteria, by touching something contaminated with the bacteria and then touching the mouth, or through contact with bacteria during sex. It only takes a small amount of shigella bacteria to make a person sick. If you are sick with symptoms of shigella 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 Shigella
Common symptoms of shigellosis are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea, which may contain blood and/or mucus
- Stomach Pain
- Fever
- Urge to pass stool (poop) but bowels are empty
Symptoms usually start 1-2 days after infection and last 7 days. In some cases, the frequency and consistency of stool (poop) do not return to normal for several months.
