TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — An outbreak of listeriosis, a bacteria that can cause serious illness in some people, is believed to have originated from a Tampa restaurant.
The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County announced Friday that four out of the five people sickened between March and June ate food from the same restaurant.
MAP: 50 cases of diarrhea-causing parasite reported in Florida
Health officials identified the likely source of the outbreak as China Buffet, located at 1245 East Fowler Avenue. Samples taken at the restaurant confirmed the outbreak strain of Listeria.
“The Florida Department of Health and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation continue to work with the restaurant as the investigation continues,” a news release from the health department said.
China Buffet restaurant in Tampa (WFLA)
Most people who consume food contaminated with Listeria will not get seriously ill, but pregnant women and their newborns, adults over age 65, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk.
Health officials said that if you consumed food from China Buffet between April 9 and June 28 and are experiencing the following symptoms, contact your healthcare provider:
Pregnant women typically experience fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However,
Listeria infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth,
premature delivery, or a life-threatening infection in the newborn.
Individuals may experience headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance,
and convulsions, in addition to fever and muscle aches.
Symptoms of severe illness usually start one to four weeks after eating food
contaminated with Listeria but may start as early as the same day or as late
as 70 days later.
Listeria infection can also cause common food poisoning symptoms like diarrhea and
fever. People who experience those symptoms usually recover without treatment, the health department said.
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