BRAD WORRALL
A DEAN Street eatery is at the centre of a salmonella poisoning outbreak. Already three people have been confirmed as having the potentially deadly bug after eating at Albury's The Burger Bar last Friday.
The Border Mail has spoken to a woman who was hospitalised and placed on a drip after being sick less than 24 hours after eating at the restaurant.
Health authorities issued a warning to GPs, practice nurses and the hospital emergency department of the outbreak.
The faxed one-page advice said the Albury Public Health Unit was investigating a gastro-like illness in more than 30 people across the Border, more than 20 having presented at the Albury Base Hospital alone.
“Three persons have been confirmed as having salmonellosis. One suspected case has been hospitalised,” the advice said.
“All cases consumed food of a takeaway nature, purchased from a food outlet in Albury.
“A significant number of cases experienced bloody stools.
“Onset of the illness has been from Friday evening”.
The food outlet today closed its doors voluntarily having operated normal up until yesterday.
Food sampling and environmental testing results are expected to be known early next week.
The Border Mail spoke to several victims with most awaiting confirmation of blood tests and other samples.
A Wodonga hairdresser said she started vomiting on Saturday afternoon and a needle at a hospital emergency department failed to stop the attack.
She was later hospitalised and placed on a drip.
The woman was tested on Wednesday and said health authorities had told her she was almost certain to test positive to salmonella.
Yesterday the Greater Southern Area Health Service confirmed it was investigating an outbreak of salmonella involving a number of people who ate from the food outlet in Albury this week.
“We warn anyone who experienced symptoms of salmonella infection this week including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and abdominal pain lasting four to seven days to seek medical advice,” a spokesman said.
“We notified the NSW Food Authority regarding the outbreak after being made aware of an increase in presentations for gastrointestinal illness at the Albury Wodonga Health — Albury Campus.
“Public health officers from Greater Southern Area Health are interviewing the cases and working with the NSW Food Authority and local council to investigate the cause of the outbreak, which is believed to be contained at this point.
“The NSW Food Authority advised it has sent inspectors to an outlet to examine food safety practices and sample foods for laboratory testing in co-operation with the owners of the food outlet”.
Authorities are yet to name the food outlet.
Greater Southern Area Health Service said anyone who contracts salmonellosis should keep up their fluid intake and seek medical advice if symptoms persist.
People experiencing symptoms should not prepare food for others, or attend work if it involves caring for children, the elderly or patients, until at least 48 hours after they have completely recovered from the illness.
The Border Mail
