Shigella Outbreak At IL Restaurant Sickens Dozens; 3 Lawsuits Filed: Attorney

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL — A Shigellosis outbreak tied to a Longhorn Steakhouse in southern Illinois has sickened dozens and resulted in three lawsuits, according to an attorney representing the afflicted.

The St. Clair County Health Department is investigating the cluster of gastrointestinal illnesses caused by Shigella bacteria that affected customers at the restaurant in Fairview Heights, the agency announced Wednesday, adding the business has been cooperating with officials.

The department had received 14 reports of people testing positive for Shigella as of Wednesday, 12 of whom dined at the restaurant on Sept. 21 or Sept. 22, according to the agency, which said six cases required hospitalization.

"The LongHorn Steakhouse Shigella outbreak is likely to continue to grow," attorney Jory Lange said in a news release, noting he had been hired by dozens of people who fell ill.

Three lawsuits had been filed by Lange and local lawyer Eric Carlson in connection with the outbreak as of Saturday, according to Lange, who told the Belleville News-Democrat that his services had been retained by over 80 people.

The restaurant remained closed Monday, the newspaper reported, adding the business had received four low-ranking violations during its last routine inspection in August.

"The scary thing about this outbreak is, as a consumer, there's nothing you can do to tell whether the food that you are buying is safe,” Lange said in the news release. “You can't taste, smell, or see Shigella. Food that is contaminated with Shigella may look, smell, and taste just like any other food. This is why it's critical that restaurants who make and sell our food, ensure the food is safe before they sell it.”

Shigellosis causes fever and diarrhea, which may become bloody, according to the health department. Most infections occur when bacteria passes from the stool or soiled fingers of one person to the mouth of another, authorities said.

Anyone who ate at the restaurant from Sept. 21 to the present and developed diarrhea within 12 hours to four days of the meal should consult a doctor, according to the department.

The Illinois Department of Public Health is asking anyone who dined at the business between Sept. 21 and Oct. 2 to complete a survey about the experience, regardless of whether they fell ill.