The North Dakota Department of Health is currently investigating a possible Salmonella food poisoning outbreak associated with two separate events held on the weekend of June 13 and 14, 2009.  The two events, a weekend reunion in Wilton, ND, and a wedding in Washburn, ND, were catered by the same unlicensed caterer.

More than 40 people experienced gastrointestinal symptoms, resulting in at least 9 hospitalizations with 2 of those patients requiring intensive care treatment.

Those sickened reported symptoms that included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever.  The health department is encouraging people who believe that they may have become ill to contact their health-care provider.

The exact source of the outbreak has not yet been indentified, although according to state epidemiologist Kirby Kruger, “As in any food-borne illness investigation, we are looking at foods people may have eaten in common, as well as other possible connections we can identify.”

According the North Dakota state law, persons who prepare and serve food at public gatherings must have a catering license.

This information is posted as a courtesy of the Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg.  For more than 25 years our firm has represented personal injury victims.  We believe that the best way for consumers to protect themselves is to stay informed.  Please see Cookie Dough Recall and Zicam Lawsuit for information regarding recent product recalls.

You may also wish to visit our additional websites dedicated to food and drug litigation by clicking E. coli Lawyer and Food and Drug Lawsuits.