The Chicago Health Department now has reports of 126 cases of Salmonella poisoning linked with food consumed at the Taste of Chicago food festival. The city’s help line has been flooded with calls since news of the outbreak began to spread midweek.

Ten people have been hospitalized with the illness, and nine of the 126 cases have been confirmed by laboratory tests as Salmonella food poisoning. Most of the 126 cases are individuals who live in Chicago, but food festival visitors from Illinois and other states are included in the total.

The 126 people have one thing in common: all ate at the Pars Cove Persian Cuisine Booth at Taste of Chicago. The specific food source of the contamination is not yet known, but health officials are investigating the cucumber hummus dish.

With the investigation into the outbreak ongoing, anyone who thinks they may have become ill after eating at the Pars Cove booth should contact the Chicago Board of Health at (312) 744-5000. Chicago residents can call 311. Symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever.

If you require legal representation after suffering Salmonella food poisoning, please call the Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg toll free at 1-877-934-6274, or click on free case evaluation. For more information about the firm, which currently represents victims of Salmonella outbreaks connected with Arby’s Restaurant and Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter, visit erichweinberg.com. To learn more about Salmonella, please visit the following pages of this blog: “About Salmonella” and “Common Symptoms and Complications”.

For up-to-date food poisoning news see Veggie Booty Recall, Taste of Chicago, and Food Poisoning North Carolina.