CHICAGO A salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 126 attendees to the Taste of Chicago food festival and hospitalized 10 of them so far has been linked to Pars Cove restaurant, which had a booth at the annual outdoor event.
Pars Cove, a Persian eatery that has been in business on this city’s North Side since 1977, served cucumber sales over hummus, grilled lamb and beef, pomegranate-barbecued chicken and baklava from its booth during the 10-day event, which ended July 8.
The salmonella outbreak is the first foodborne illness problem to occur at the giant food and music festival in at least 20 years, according to the Chicago Health Department, which has not ruled out the possibility of contamination by food handlers. More than 70 restaurants participated in this year’s Taste of Chicago.
People infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people who become ill recover without treatment. In some people, however, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death treated promptly with antibiotics.
The health department said it is awaiting the results of further lab tests from victims and that Pars Cove is cooperating with the investigation.