2008 Woodie Awards
Board of Health investigates cases of salmonella
Caroline Briggs
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: Community
Many members of Miami University's Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter went home sick for their Thanksgiving break-and some believe it may have been caused by some aspect of pre-Thanksgiving turkey dinner the students ate.
The Nov. 18 event featured a Brick Street Bar dropped-off dinner in the 224 East Church St. fraternity house, according to Chapter President Adam Ring.
Following complaints, the Ohio Department of Health is investigating 40 cases surrounding the case and has made no direct connections to any one source, according to Patricia Burg, director of the Butler County Health Department.
Burg said 15 of the 40 samples have tested positive for salmonella bacteria, but the official report on the case will not be released for at least a month. But, so far, no direct evidence has linked the dinner or a Brick Street employee to the outbreak.
"There is no conclusion formed at this point in time," Burg said. "We are not yet midway into this investigation."
Co-owner of Brick Street Mark Weisman said that he is working closely with the health department to determine the root of the contamination. Weisman said that though Brick Street employees bring the food ready-to-eat, the restaurant has no control with food conditions after they leave.
"The difference between eating in (and dropping meals off) is that we have total control of the process from start to finish," Weisman said. "There are just so many variables in this case."
Weisman said that Brick Street has never had an incident of salmonella poisoning previously. Weisman pointed out that Brick Street kitchen employees follow strict guidelines and they have equipment to further avoid any chance of contamination.
Pamela Bauer, the Butler County Health Department epidemiologist, said that contamination of food with salmonella could occur from many different circumstances. First, in that salmonella is typically related to poultry, cross contamination occurring in the kitchen of the restaurant or the fraternity house and a sick individual around the food can unknowingly contaminate it. Bauer said it was not typical to have such a high number of positive cases, but as the case relates to the food dropped off, it is unusual.
The Nov. 18 event featured a Brick Street Bar dropped-off dinner in the 224 East Church St. fraternity house, according to Chapter President Adam Ring.
Following complaints, the Ohio Department of Health is investigating 40 cases surrounding the case and has made no direct connections to any one source, according to Patricia Burg, director of the Butler County Health Department.
Burg said 15 of the 40 samples have tested positive for salmonella bacteria, but the official report on the case will not be released for at least a month. But, so far, no direct evidence has linked the dinner or a Brick Street employee to the outbreak.
"There is no conclusion formed at this point in time," Burg said. "We are not yet midway into this investigation."
Co-owner of Brick Street Mark Weisman said that he is working closely with the health department to determine the root of the contamination. Weisman said that though Brick Street employees bring the food ready-to-eat, the restaurant has no control with food conditions after they leave.
"The difference between eating in (and dropping meals off) is that we have total control of the process from start to finish," Weisman said. "There are just so many variables in this case."
Weisman said that Brick Street has never had an incident of salmonella poisoning previously. Weisman pointed out that Brick Street kitchen employees follow strict guidelines and they have equipment to further avoid any chance of contamination.
Pamela Bauer, the Butler County Health Department epidemiologist, said that contamination of food with salmonella could occur from many different circumstances. First, in that salmonella is typically related to poultry, cross contamination occurring in the kitchen of the restaurant or the fraternity house and a sick individual around the food can unknowingly contaminate it. Bauer said it was not typical to have such a high number of positive cases, but as the case relates to the food dropped off, it is unusual.
Be the first to comment on this story