March 22, 2008

Typhoid Fever Reported at Local Restaurant

A case of typhoid fever was reported last night to the Nassau County Department of Health in a New York City resident who works as a food handler at Mama Sbarro’s, 265 North Broadway, Hicksville, New York.

Based upon interviews with the patient and the inspection of the restaurant, the Health Department believes that the risk to the public is low.  However, all individuals who patronized Mama Sbarro’s between Friday, March 14th and March 16th should be aware of their risk for contracting typhoid fever. 

Because those persons who ate at the restaurant between  March 14-March 16 may have been exposed, the Nassau County Department of Health strongly advises them to carefully wash their hands after using the toilet and before and after food preparation.  It is also important to use separate towels when drying hands.

Friday evening, March 21st, the Health Department conducted an unannounced inspection of the restaurant and did not find any violations of the health code that would contribute to the spread of typhoid fever.  All employees were found to be using gloves when preparing foods

Symptoms may be mild or severe and may include fever, headache, constipation or diarrhea, rose-color spots on the trunk and an enlarged spleen and liver. Symptoms generally appear one to three weeks after exposure and cases can be treated with specific antibiotics. Fatalities are less than one percent with antibiotic treatment.

Individuals with symptoms of typhoid fever should contact their physicians or health care providers.

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection of the intestinal tract and occasionally the bloodstream. Bacteria are passed in the feces and, to some extent, the urine of infected people.  The germs are spread by eating or drinking water or foods contaminated by feces from the infected individual. To date in 2008, there have been no cases of typhoid diagnosed in Nassau County residents.  In 2007, there were seven Nassau County residents reported with typhoid fever; none of whom were employed as food workers.  Most cases are acquired during foreign travel to underdeveloped countries. 

The Health Department will continue to check the restaurant to make sure all food continues to be handled in safe manner and that workers are checked for signs and symptoms of the illness.  If any signs are found, they are immediately excluded from work.

Nassau County Department of Health is working collaboratively with New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and New York State Department of Health.   The restaurant is working cooperately with the Health Department.