Probe Into Outbreak Linked To D.C. Cobb's Continues

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — The McHenry County Department of Health is continuing to investigate a gastrointestinal illness outbreak linked to food eaten at D.C. Cobbs in McHenry.

The outbreak left at least 13 people with gastrointestinal illnesses after they ate at the local restaurant, health officials announced last week. The health department conducted a survey requesting information from others who ate at the local restaurant between Aug. 29 and Sept. 13 as they look to find the source of the outbreak and received more than 500 responses.

"The data collected from the survey and individual interviews is being analyzed to determine the scope and cause of the outbreak including whether any food items are the likely source of the illness and to identify other risk factors that contributed to the spread," health officials said in a Friday news release.

Stool specimens from people who became sick will be collected and analyzed to try and figure out what made them sick, and health officials are also conducing a food analysis from information collected in the surveys.

"The food analysis involves looking at the foods that ill and well individuals ate to determine the likelihood that someone became ill after eating a particular food item," according to the news release. "It is not always possible to determine a single food item during an outbreak investigation. This can happen if multiple food items led to the spread of illness or if there is not enough information to determine the cause of illness."

The health department launched an investigation into the outbreak after receiving a call from the owner of D.C. Cobb's and a complaint of potential illness from individuals who had eaten at the restaurant five to seven days earlier.

Health officials have been working with the food establishment owner since the start of the investigation and continues to provide guidance and updates to the owner who is fully cooperating the health department's probe.

The MCDH is advising anyone who ate food prepared at the food establishment and is experiencing severe illness to seek medical attention.