Salmonella infections linked to Cracker Barrel restaurant in Illinois

The Kankakee County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to a Cracker Barrel restaurant.

By May 14, the provincial department had identified eight people who had eaten food prepared at the Ken Hayes Dr. restaurant. 50 in Bourbonnais with Salmonella infections.

Cracker Barrel voluntarily closed the restaurant on May 4 and is working with the county health department to determine the source of the infections. The department conducted an environmental assessment of Cracker Barrel and issued guidelines for safe food handling practices and environmental cleaning to prevent further spread of disease.

The provincial health department also issued an alert to doctors in the area about the outbreak and provided medical guidance.

The provincial health department is closely monitoring for any additional reports of illness. If you experience diarrhea after consuming food from this establishment, please contact the department at 815-802-9400 option 3 to option 3 to file a suspected food poisoning complaint.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria usually does not look, smell or taste spoiled. Anyone can become ill from a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for serious illness because their immune systems are vulnerable, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten at the restaurant and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctor about possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria, because special tests are needed to diagnose salmonellosis. Symptoms of Salmonella infection can mimic other diseases, often leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of a Salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours of eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. However, in some cases, the diarrhea can 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 serious illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people become infected without becoming ill or showing symptoms. However, they can still spread the infections to others.