Seven people in San Diego County were hospitalized with E. coli infections after eating at 4S Ranch’s Miguel’s Cocina, county health officials announced Tuesday.
According to the county’s Health and Human Services Agency, the sick person and his family ate at Miguel’s 4S Ranch from Oct. 6 to Oct. 18, and reported experiencing symptoms from Oct. 13 to Oct. 19. are doing.
County health officials are still investigating the specific food that was the source of the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak at the restaurant. Miguel’s voluntarily closed Tuesday and is working closely with the county to identify the outbreak.
“Anyone who visits a restaurant and feels sick should seek medical attention as soon as possible,” said County Public Health Officer Wilma J. Wooten, MD, MPH.
“We want them to get tested and send the results to their local health department. Children are most at risk of infection, adults over 65 and those with weakened immune systems. It’s the people,” Wooten said.
The county reported 13 confirmed or probable E. coli cases, ranging in age from 6 to 87, associated with the restaurant.
At least one of those cases develops a more serious infectious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Brigantine Restaurants is the parent company of Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch. Brigantine Group President Mike Morton Jr. issued a statement Tuesday regarding the E. coli outbreak.
“At this time, there are no established links to the other 20 properties operated by Brigantine Restaurants around San Diego County,” Morton Jr. said.
Miguel’s 4S Ranch thoroughly cleans the entire facility and disposes of all raw materials in areas that may harbor E. coli.
Kaiser Permanente’s Dr. Richard Moon said that while many people may not know they have an E. coli infection, it can cause very serious symptoms in certain groups of people. .
“A small number of people, especially the very young, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions, experience more severe symptoms, such as fever, nausea, vomiting, difficulty keeping up with fluid intake, and decreased urine output and confusion. There is a risk of developing . And lethargy,” Moon said.
Regarding the many San Diegans who hope to enjoy Miguel’s and other restaurants operated by Brigantine Restaurants in the near future, the company’s CEO said in a statement: “At this time, there are no established links to the other 20 properties operated by Brigantine Restaurants” around San Diego County. ”
Symptoms of Escherichia coli (STEC)
People infected with STEC begin to feel sick three to four days after eating or drinking something that contains the bacteria. According to HHSA, the disease can develop within 1 to 10 days after infection.
According to HHSA, symptoms vary from person to person, but often include:
- severe abdominal cramps
- Watery or bloody diarrhea (3 or more loose stools within 24 hours)
- vomiting
Symptoms occur with or without fever, which is usually not very high (below 101°F/38.5°C). Symptoms usually improve within 5 to 7 days. According to HHSA, some infections can be mild, while others can be serious and life-threatening.
If you have these symptoms, call your doctor right away, HHSA says. This is especially true if you have diarrhea that lasts more than three days, has diarrhea or bloody stools with a fever of 102°F or higher, or vomits so much that you can’t keep fluids down and can barely urinate, HHSA says. I am. .
This is a developing story. NBC 7 will continue to update this page as more information arrives.
