Salmonella pegged as cause of Toyo illness outbreak
DPH still has not identified the specific food involved.
The cause of the foodborne illness outbreak at Toyo Tire in Bartow County on Nov. 14-15 was salmonella, according to Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District officials. DPH spokesman Logan Boss said the department is still working to determine specifically what food was the source of the problem.
“We are pleased that health officials have identified the source of this illness and we continue to work with authorities as they complete their work,” said James A. Bourne of Abernathy MacGregor which is handling media inquiries for Toyo. “We encourage any Toyo employee with questions on this matter to contact Human Resources.”
The illness generally runs its course over four to seven days, but in extreme cases the diarrhea and resulting dehydration can lead to hospitalization, Boss said.
There have been five hospitalizations due to the outbreak, but well over 40 employees who have reported symptoms of the illness. Boss identified symptoms of food borne illness to include upset stomach, stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and fever.
According to the regional Department of Public Health office in Rome, the food-service facility in Cartersville that catered the event will remain closed until the week after Thanksgiving. The company has been identified by the Daily Tribune in Cartersville and various social media outlets as Angelo’s of Cartersville.
Employees of the restaurant are receiving special training in the safe food handling from environmental health specialists.
Numerous social media postings have expressed concern that Toyo’s policy of assessing points to people who are out of work would continue to be assessed even though the illnesses were apparently the result of the company hosted event.
An employee who did not want to be identified said the employees were told they would not get points or lose holiday pay for being out for illness relating to the company-sanctioned event.
Boss said he could not comment on whether or not any sanctions would be levied against the caterer.
“We are following up on the public health aspects of this outbreak and making sure that restaurant is safe to reopen,” Boss said.