Lombard eatery suspected source of illness outbreak
A Lombard Subway restaurant remains closed today pending the results of a health department investigation into a cluster of gastrointestinal illnesses possibly originating there.
The problem seems to be primarily among customers of the Subway at 1009 E. Roosevelt Road, according to a DuPage County Health Department news release.
By Thursday afternoon, the department had received multiple reports of illness possibly linked to food consumed from that Subway location.
Health officials have determined some of the illnesses were caused by shigellosis, an infectious disease contracted from the Shigella bacteria. So far, eight cases of shigellosis have been laboratory confirmed. Four people have been hospitalized, with at least one person discharged and recovering at home.
During the winter months, the health department receives up to five reports monthly of shigellosis in DuPage County, and each year about 1,300 confirmed cases are reported in Illinois.
Health officials said the Subway restaurant owners and corporate representatives have been cooperating and the investigation is ongoing.
The health department also is working with the Illinois Department of Public Health to control and prevent the disease from spreading.
Health officials are advising anyone who exhibits any of the symptoms of shigellosis to contact their physician for appropriate testing and treatment, as well as before using anti-diarrheal agents since they can prolong the illness.
Anyone who has eaten at the restaurant between Feb. 24 and March 1 and has developed diarrheal illness within 12 hours to four days after eating, should consult with their physician and report the illness to the health department at (630) 682-7400.
What to watch for:
•Most people infected with Shigella develop gastrointestinal illness, including diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and/or stomach cramps one to two days after being exposed to the bacterium. The diarrhea is often bloody. Shigellosis usually resolves in five to seven days.
•In some cases, especially with young children and the elderly, the diarrhea can be so severe the patient needs hospitalization. A severe infection with high fever also may be associated with seizures in children younger than 2 years old. Some infected people may display no symptoms at all, but may still pass the Shigella bacteria to others.
•The disease is contagious. The bacteria are present in the diarrheal stools of infected persons while they are sick and for a few weeks afterward. Most infections occur when the germ passes from the stool or soiled fingers of one person to the mouth of another person.
•Careful hand washing with soap and water, particularly after using the restroom can stop the spread of infection. Parents should supervise frequent hand washing of all young children. Children with a Shigella infection still wearing diapers should not come into contact with uninfected children.
•Infected persons should not prepare food or beverages for others until they are clear of the bacterium.
•More information on shigellosis is available at idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbshigellosis.htm .