Denny’s Food Poisoning Outbreak Being Investigated in Minnesota

At least three people have been hospitalized with salmonella food poisoning as part of an outbreak that is believed to be linked to a Denny’s restaurant in Rochester, Minnesota. 

Olmstead County Health officials indicate that all three were patrons of the Denny’s and contracted Salmonella Montevideo infections. A fourth person is suspected of being part of the outbreak, but that has not yet been confirmed.

Both county and state investigators are looking into the outbreak. All of the illnesses appear to have occurred among people who ate at the restaurant between June 27 and July 5, and they were hospitalized between July 2 and July 7.

Investigators have not determined the exact cause of the salmonella outbreak however, and suspect it may have been spread by a customer or employee.

The Denny’s was allowed to continue to operate after state and county health officials conducted an extensive inspection of the facility. Inspectors sanitized food surfaces, threw away potentially contaminated food and kept out employees who were ill or had recently been ill.

Officials urge anyone who believes they contracted salmonella poisoning after visiting the Denny’s restaurant to contact their health care provider, even if it appears the illness has passed.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing mild to severe food poisoning.  Symptoms may include diarrhea, fever, headache and abdominal pain that usually begins one to 10 days after exposure.

For most healthy adults, symptoms of salmonella poisoning typically resolve within a few days or weeks.  However, young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems may have an increased risk of severe food poisoning, which may result in hospitalization, dehydration or death if not properly treated.

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