According to Food Safety News, at least eleven people, including seven employees of Ajuua’s Mexican Restaurant, are confirmed with Salmonella infections related to the restaurant.
The root cause of the outbreak was still unknown, but that fresh tomatoes and/or salsa made and served at the restaurant in Odessa, Texas.
It is not known if the employees who tested positive for Salmonella carried the pathogen into the restaurant or picked it up there.
Three of the restaurant’s patrons required hospitalization because their symptoms were so severe.
As many as 23 other possible outbreak victims had been identified as of Monday.
Most people infected with Salmonella develop abdominal cramps, fever and diarrhea 12 to 72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children under the age of 5, adults older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of severe symptoms and death.