Key dates surrounding the salmonella outbreak at Camden’s Old South restaurant, the largest food-borne illness outbreak in state history, were published by The South Carolina State:

  • May 20-21: The first cases of salmonella poisoning from diners at Old South buffet restaurant in Camden are reported at the Kershaw County Medical Center.
  • May 22: James Arledge, 58, of Lugoff, who had eaten at Old South, dies.
  • Late May: State health officials issue a public health advisory for anyone who ate at the buffet May 19-22 after 176 people report being sick. Arledge’s death is linked to the outbreak.
  • May 27: Number of people reporting illnesses rises to 272, making it the state’s largest food-borne illness outbreak.
  • Late May and early June: Old South owners voluntarily close during investigation by state health officials.
  • June 4: Number of people reporting illnesses tops 300. State health officials narrow the cause of the outbreak to undercooked turkey.
  • June 10: Old South reopens
  • Mid-June: First lawsuit filed against Old South; others follow.
  • Dec. 22: The Arledge family files a wrongful death suit. Also, a class-action suit is filed on behalf of anyone who had to seek medical help for their illness. Old South and the maker of the oven that cooked the turkey, Missouri-based Duke Manufacturing, are named in the suits.