At least 17 people have become ill in Moses Lake, Washington, this summer, and Grant County health investigators are searching for the source.  Some of the cases have been traced to an Arby’s restaurant located on Stratford Road, but not all have been traced to a source, according to a story posted on kxly.com

“We feel this is a good opportunity to remind ALL food establishment owners, managers and employees, that frequent hand washing and staying home when ill is critical to prevent the spread of illnesses through food," said Peggy Grigg, Health District Director of Personal Health Services and Administrator in an August 3rd Press Release.

"Ill food workers should not report to work (or should be excluded), and managers at food establishments should study, learn and follow the latest food code rules, which have been recently revised but are in effect now."

Marler Clark has represented thousands of victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illness outbreaks in the last 15 years.  The firm has brought claims against such fast food chains as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Jack in the Box, and KFC.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection

The acute symptoms of Salmonella gastroenteritis include the sudden onset of nausea, abdominal cramping, and bloody diarrhea with mucous. Fever is almost always present. Vomiting is less common than diarrhea. Headaches, myalgias (muscle pain), and arthralgias (joint pain) are often reported as well. The onset of symptoms usually occurs within 6 to 72 hours after the ingestion of the bacteria. The infectious dose is small, probably from 15 to 20 cells.

Reiter’s Syndrome, which includes and is sometimes referred to as “reactive arthritis,” is an uncommon, but debilitating, result of a Salmonella infection. The symptoms of Reiter’s Syndrome usually occur between one and three weeks after the infection. Reiter’s Syndrome is a disorder that causes at least two of three seemingly unrelated symptoms: reactive arthritis, conjunctivitis (eye irritation), and urinary tract infection. The arthritis associated with Reiter’s Syndrome typically affects the knees, ankles, and feet, causing pain and swelling. Wrists, fingers and other joints can be affected, though with less frequency. With Reiter’s Syndrome, the affected person commonly develops inflammation where the tendon attaches to the bone, a condition called enthesopathy. Some people also develop heel spurs, bony growths in the heel that cause chronic or long-lasting foot pain. Arthritis from Reiter’s Syndrome can also affect the joints of the back and cause spondylitis, inflammation of the vertebrae in the spinal column. The duration of reactive arthritis symptoms can vary greatly. Most of the literature suggests that the majority of affected persons recover within a year. The condition, can, however, be permanent.