Salmonella is the likely cause of a food poisoning outbreak that may have hit up to 400 Melburnians, including a toddler. Authorities are still testing but yesterday confirmed at least 135 had food poisoning – up from 24 confirmed cases on Friday.
More than 400 people have called health authorities to complain of illness after eating at two Turkish restaurants in Sydney Rd, Brunswick – Alasya and Alasya 2 – between January 8 and 19.
Of the confirmed cases, five have been definitely linked to salmonella, Department of Human Services acting chief health officer John Carnie said. Fifteen people have been hospitalized, the youngest aged three and the oldest 73.
Alasya and Alasya 2 were closed on Wednesday when 17 people became ill after eating there. The two restaurants have undergone major cleaning and will remain closed while local council, health officials and the health department investigate the source of the outbreak.