A nasty bacteria has caused nearly 100 people to become seriously ill after dining at a popular restaurant chain last month.
Sylvia Ledbetter said she “just can’t go back” after her last experience at her favorite restaurant at the time, LongHorn Steakhouse.
Since then, the O’Fallon, Illinois, native’s September experience dismantled her permanent weekly plans at the Fairview Heights location, as she and a friend went three to four times a month.
On her last visit, the 66-year-old ordered strawberry lemonade, strawberry chicken salad and potato soup before feeling very ill.
Sylvia Ledbetter, 66, said she “just can’t go back” after her last experience at her favorite restaurant at the time, LongHorn Steakhouse.
Since then, the O’Fallon, Illinois, native’s September experience has dismantled her standing weekly plans at the Fairview Heights location, as she and a friend went three to four times a month.
On her last visit, the 66-year-old ordered strawberry lemonade, strawberry chicken salad and potato soup before feeling very ill.
“My stomach pain was on a scale of maybe a 9 or 9 and a half,” Ledbetter said, adding that her pain “might have been a 10 some days.”
Ledbetter recalled having painful cramps associated with diarrhea that sent her rushing to the emergency room after her symptoms persisted for nearly two weeks.
She initially expressed reluctance to see a doctor due to her incessant pain, but her incurable exhaustion and unrelenting agony led her to seek help.
Following the widespread outbreak, more than 100 people filed lawsuits against the LongHorn location, attorney Jory Lange said. First alert4.
The St. Clair County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health continue to investigate a possible Shigella outbreak, which they believe originated at the steakhouse.
Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella.
“Once shigella gets into a restaurant like this, it can spread very quickly,” Lange said, adding that he has already filed three lawsuits in St. Clair County.
To help determine the root of the problem, a survey was sent to several people who ate at the steakhouse between September 20 and October 2, asking them to answer questions about when they dined at the popular chain and what they ate.
“We’ve talked to several people who have eaten there,” Lange said. ‘We are not looking at a specific food product. We’re looking at the full menu.’
Following the widespread outbreak, more than 100 people filed lawsuits against the LongHorn location, attorney Jory Lange (pictured) told FirstAlert4.
The investigation is ongoing and the Fairview Heights location has been closed in connection with the outbreak.
Lange, a personal injury attorney, added that the Shigella bacteria could have come from a restaurant employee who did not properly wash his hands, including that fecal matter could have been on his hands and then spread the germs.
A Shigella infection causes fever and diarrhea, which may become bloody.
The health department said that “symptoms occur one to two days after coming into contact with the bacteria” and “symptoms generally last 5 to 7 days, but some people may experience symptoms from a few days to several weeks.”
It is recommended that people with fever, prolonged or bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, or dehydration seek medical attention.
Ledbetter said he received a prescription and is finally starting to feel better.
The exact cause of the ubiquitous illnesses remains unknown, but health department investigators believe the outbreak could be linked to a specific contaminated ingredient.
The investigation is ongoing and the Fairview Heights location has been closed in connection with the outbreak.
Daily Mail has contacted LongHorn Steakhouse for comment.
