Foodborne Illness Outbreak Could Affect 1,800: Health Department

WHITE GA -- The Georgia Department of Public Health, Northwest Health District and the Bartow County Health Department are investigating a possible foodborne illness outbreak connected to a catered employee event held last week at Toyo Tire.

The cause of the outbreak, the Northwest Health District added, has not been determined, and the results from conclusive tests may not be in for three to five days, "possibly longer due to the Thanksgiving holiday."

"We know of two hospitalizations in Bartow, but there may have been more," the agency added. "We are working with Toyo HR to determine how many people potentially may have been affected and believe it is approximately 1,800. We are also working with Toyo HR to gather more information about the outbreak from
their employees."

Ginger Tyra, spokesperson with Cartersville Medical Center, said those two hospitalizations were admitted on Sunday, and the facility's Emergency Room doctors have treated more than 40 patients with symptoms such as including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The Bartow County-based company that catered the event is cooperating with the environmental health specialists investigating the outbreak. The health department declined to disclose to Patch the name of the restaurant that provided the food at Toyo Tire, but many social media users said food from a local pizza joint was the culprit.

Symptoms of food-borne illness are: upset stomach, stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. You are advised to see your doctor or healthcare provider if you have symptoms that are severe, including:

• High fever (temperature over 101.5°F, measured orally)
• Blood in stools
• Frequent vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down (which can lead to dehydration)
• Signs of dehydration, including a marked decrease in urination, a very dry mouth and throat, or feeling dizzy when standing up.
• Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days

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