By ChinRes 
The topic of food safety has received a lot of attention this year as a result of a number of significant product recalls and instances of sickness outbreaks that have impacted a large number of individuals. In the present moment, customers are facing yet another outbreak of foodborne illness that has been connected to a restaurant that is part of a large steakhouse chain.
Shigellosis is an infection that is transmitted by shigella bacteria and often involves symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and stomach discomfort. The St. Clair County Health Department in Illinois is now conducting an investigation into an epidemic of shigellosis. Up to this point, the department has received fourteen reports of individuals who have tested positive for shigella, with six of those instances needing hospitalization.
It was alleged by the Belleville News-Democrat, citing a press statement, that twelve of those individuals had consumed food at a LongHorn Steakhouse located in Fairview Heights between the dates of September 21 and 22.
A lawyer named Jory Lange, who has previously been successful in obtaining reimbursements for customers who were ill as a result of shigella in restaurants, forecasted that the number of illnesses that are associated with this epidemic is “likely to grow” even more. According to what he mentioned in a press release, this is due to the fact that it normally takes some time for sick persons to present themselves at the hospital, undergo testing, and have their results published.
LongHorn Steakhouse has been participating with the inquiry, despite the fact that the St. Clair County Health Department is still seeking to discover the source of the epidemic and that no LongHorn staff have been diagnosed with shigellosis.
In order to take further measures and clean the restaurant using a disinfectant that is suitable for use in hospitals, the firm decided to voluntarily close the Fairview Heights location, which is situated at 6115 N. Illinois St., on October 2 and October 3. Additionally, they carried out this sanitization procedure an additional two times earlier in the week after having a conversation with the health department.
In addition, LongHorn is now employing a food safety and cleaning specialist at the restaurant in order to guarantee that employees are conversant with the company’s requirements.
As a result of the fact that “the health and safety of our guests and team members is our number one priority,” LongHorn Steakhouse has voluntarily closed its restaurant today and tomorrow, according to a statement that was provided to Eat This, Not That! Because of this, we will be able to do an additional comprehensive sanitation of the restaurant by making use of a disinfectant that is of hospital-grade quality.
Additionally, our Total Quality manager who is there at the location will be working with our staff to reinforce our processes around food safety and cleanliness.
As the investigation into the shigellosis epidemic proceeds, the St. Clair County Health Department intends to make further material available to the public.
According to the Belleville News-Democrat, the agency also encouraged anybody who had consumed food at the Fairview Heights LongHorn Steakhouse restaurant since September 21 and experienced a problem with diarrhea to get medical attention from their primary care physician.