Restaurant Closes for a Week Due to a Texas Salmonella Outbreak
According to reports from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the X10 Woodfire Steakhouse Restaurant in Dalhart, Texas was voluntarily closed earlier this month, when more than 30 people became sick due to infections brought on by Salmonella contamination in Dalhart, with another dozen confirmed sickened in Bushland.
When the DSHS discovered the link between the Salmonella outbreak and the restaurant, the owners agreed to voluntarily close for the week of February 9, 2015, during which time everything was cleaned and sanitized. After that, the restaurant was cleared to reopen.
The DSHS has not yet determined the exact source of the Salmonella contamination, but they are continuing to investigate. It’s possible that the contamination source was food from a distributor that may have been sold to other restaurants in the area, or there could be a specific problem with each restaurant. The Salmonella bacteria can be found in a number of food products. It’s most common in raw meat, especially chicken and beef, but because of the possibility of cross-contamination or problems at some point in the distribution chain or with those handling the food, contamination also often occurs in produce and other foods. According to reports, in addition to X10, the agency is in the process of investigating several other cases of Salmonella infection in the same region of Texas.
Many of those who become sick from salmonella will only suffer a minor belly ache or diarrhea for a day or two. However, in many cases, the illness has the potential to be very dangerous, especially for very small children, the elderly or those with compromised immune systems. Some will experience more serious symptoms, such as chills, fever, body aches, vomiting and severe diarrhea for days or even weeks. Sometimes, Salmonella infection can lead to severe dehydration, reactive arthritis, or even potentially life-threatening symptoms, such urinary tract infections, kidney disease requiring dialysis, or even typhoid fever in some extreme cases.
Anyone who frequented the X10 Woodfire Steakhouse Restaurant and experiences any of the above symptoms should immediately see their physician. If they are diagnosed with Salmonella infection, they should report it to the Texas Department of State Health Services immediately.
If you or a loved one has been sickened while eating at this or any other Texas restaurant, and have contracted a Salmonella infection or any other foodborne illness, please contact the Food Poisoning Injury Lawyer at Hill Law Firm immediately, in order to protect your rights.