Public health officials in Amarillo, TX, are warning people who attended a church event to throw out food because of potential Salmonella contamination.
The city’s Public Health Department and its Environmental Health Department are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella infections related to a meal served at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
The enchilada meal was served at the church on March 27.
Anyone who still has food from the event should not eat it and should throw it away. Individuals experiencing symptoms after eating food from the event should contact their primary care doctor, city officials advised.
“Providers treating patients who report eating at the event and individuals who became ill are asked to contact APHD at 806-378-6300 option 6 or fax the patient’s contact information to 806-378-6307 Attn: CD Team,” according to the city’s outbreak announcement.
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 from the church event 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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