While many bars that serve alcohol remain closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, a juice bar has been identified as the source of an outbreak of fecal bacteria poisoning, a condition that is easily prevented when food service workers wash their hands after using the toilet.
New Salmonella outbreak linked to juice bar in Minnesota
Oct 9, 2020
Food Safety News – Minnesota officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak among patrons of a juice bar. Health officials believe additional people likely are part of the outbreak. [Salmonella is a fecal bacteria. – Ed.]
A specific source from NéktƏr Juice Bar in Woodbury, MN, has not yet been pinpointed, but the Minnesota Health Department is reporting that all confirmed patients have infections from a specific variant of Salmonella Paratyphi B, meaning they were most likely sickened by the same source.
Health officials said:
“Since many (patients with) salmonellosis do not seek health care and get tested, the number of ill people that are part of this outbreak is likely to be larger than the number of cases identified . . . people who have symptoms of salmonellosis, but who have not yet sought health care, (need) to mention this outbreak to their provider if they seek health care.”
As of today, the investigators continue to interview patients in their attempts to identify a specific food or drink that was contaminated with the Salmonella. The outbreak patients became ill between Aug. 27 and Sept. 21. Two cases have been hospitalized. All are recovering, according to state health officials.
“The investigation to date has found that the cases consumed a variety of menu items — juices, smoothies, or bowls — from NéktƏr Juice Bar in Woodbury from mid-August to Sept. 20. It is possible that infections in people who became ill after visiting the establishment more recently have not yet been detected,” according to the state health department.
NéktƏr Juice Bar in Woodbury has cleaned, sanitized and restocked ingredients, the health department reported.
Approximately 700-1000 Salmonella infections are reported each year in Minnesota.
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.
Anyone who has eaten any food or beverages from the implicated business and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.
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