A local LongHorn Steakhouse in Fairview Heights has become the center of a gastrointestinal outbreak as shigellosis affects the Metro East region. St. Clair County health officials, in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Public Health, are investigating the steakhouse located at 6115 North Illinois Street. According to FOX 2 Now, officials have identified 14 confirmed cases of the bacterial illness, with at least 12 individuals having dined at the restaurant between September 21 and 22.
The situation escalated to the point that six affected individuals required hospitalization. As Shigella can be transmitted by consuming contaminated food or through poor handwashing. The St. Clair County Health Department, in a statement to First Alert 4, assured the public that thorough investigations are underway, with the cooperation of LongHorn Steakhouse, to determine the source of the outbreak and prevent further disease transmission.
The Fairview Heights LongHorn Steakhouse voluntarily closed on Wednesday and plans to stay closed through Thursday. Symptoms of shigellosis—such as diarrhea and fever—can appear within one to two days after exposure and may last for weeks. Dr. Farrin Manian, an infectious disease specialist, noted in a KSDK interview the risks associated with Shigella. Lawyer Jory Lange, who has experience with Shigella cases, "The LongHorn Steakhouse Shigella outbreak is likely to grow." He explained that because of the delay in symptom onset and reporting, more people may come forward with infections linked to the outbreak.
