Contra Costa Health Officials Say Bacteria in Church Dinner Killed 3

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA -- The cause of an illness that sickened 25 people in Antioch on Thanksgiving -- three of whom died -- has been determined to be a bacteria called Clostridium perfringens that was found in a free meal prepared by volunteers, Contra Costa County health officials said Dec. 20.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the bacteria in stool samples taken from people sickened after eating at the holiday event, Contra Costa Health Services officials said.

The meal, which was made by volunteers from Golden Hills Community Church, was served to 835 people at Antioch's American Legion hall on Thanksgiving Day.

All those who became ill reported having symptoms within 24 hours of eating the food.

The three people who died had "intestinal abnormalities," according to the county coroner's office. They were identified as Christopher Cappetti, 43, Chooi Keng Cheah, 59, and Jane Evans, 69.

"Clostridium perfringens is one of the most common food-borne illnesses in the U.S. It can be found in the human intestine without hurting us, but eating food containing large amounts of this bacteria can cause
illness and in some cases death," Dr. Louise McNitt, deputy health officer for Contra Costa Health Services, said in a statement.

Health officials weren't able to determine exactly which dishes from the meal sickened people, but found that most of the people who fell ill ate turkey and mashed potatoes at about the same time during dinner, health officials said.

Some dishes served at the event, including cooked turkey, were brought to the site after they were prepared in private homes, County environmental health director Dr. Marilyn Underwood said.

The event lacked the proper Health Services permits to serve food to the public and county staff are working with church leaders to "ensure they understand the permitting process," Health Services spokeswoman Victoria Balladares said.

Bay City News contributed to this report/Image via Shutterstock