FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. — A packed LongHorn Steakhouse in Fairview Heights on Wednesday was quickly emptied and closed after St. Clair County health officials announced they were investigating a spike in severe food poisoning cases linked to the restaurant.
The location will reportedly be closed through Thursday after numerous area hospitals reported increases in Shigella infection.
The bacteria causes a type of food poisoning infection called shigellosis, which triggers symptoms including bloody or prolonged diarrhea, stomach pain, and fever lasting five to seven days, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The infection can also, in rare cases, cause reactive arthritis, bloodstream infections, and seizures.
The St. Clair Public Health Department and Illinois Department of Health investigators started looking into the cases after the spike in infections.
"As of the afternoon of October 2, 2024, the health department has received 14 Shigella reports from people testing positive," the St. Clair County Health Department said in an emailed press release. "Twelve (12) of the positive individuals dined at the LongHorn establishment between September 21st and 22nd, 2024. Six (6) cases have been hospitalized."
Health experts said it can take a day or two to start feeling symptoms. Some people could experience symptoms and be contagious for up to four or more weeks.
"It can be fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sometimes diarrhea can be bloody. It can be very severe, especially in children, people who have immunocompromised systems, or even healthy people. Unfortunately, people wind up in the hospital because of it," said Dr. Farrin Manian, Chief Department of Medicine and Infectious Disease Specialist at Mercy Hospital St. Louis.
Dr. Manian said Shigella can be very serious, and in rare cases, it can even be deadly.
"It's very contagious. As opposed to some of the other germs, you don't need to be exposed to very much of the bacteria to get it. It's probably one of the more infectious types of gastroenteritis, so very few germs can cause severe disease," the Infectious Disease Specialist said.
The LongHorn Steakhouse was filled with customers Wednesday at noon when 5 On Your Side spoke to the Fairview Heights location's manager. He said the restaurant has in-place procedures for when a foodborne illness is found and is actively working with health department investigators.
At the time, the manager was unsure whether the location would be forced to close as the investigation developed. Late Wednesday afternoon, a sign was placed on the restaurant's main entrance saying the location was closed for "cleaning and training." The restaurant was expected to reopen Friday.
"It can be foodborne or waterborne, and it can even be transmitted through sexual contact. The primary source of Shigella is essentially fecal excrements of people who may be carrying it without even knowing about it or people who have diarrhea," Manian said.
Health experts said treatment varies from self-limiting cases to antibiotics for severe infections.
"If somebody is already improving and feels pretty mild symptoms, we don't have to treat it with antibiotics because it can be very self-limiting. But we can give antibiotics to those who have bloody diarrhea, a fever or are sick enough to be in the hospital. There are a couple of antibiotics that we rely on for effective treatment, and people have to take that for several days," said Manian.
Two of the infected patients, a couple from St. Clair County, reached out to 5 On Your Side after eating at the restaurant on September 22nd and getting sick a few days later. One of them was violently ill and hospitalized for several days.
"If you or a family member have eaten at the LongHorn Steakhouse located at 6115 North Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, Illinois from September 21st to present and developed diarrheal illness within 12 hours to four days after eating, please consult with your physician," the department said.
LongHorn Steakhouse sent 5 On Your Side the following statement after our initial reporting was published:
"The health and safety of our guests and team members is our number one priority, which is why we have voluntarily closed our restaurant today and tomorrow. This will allow us to conduct an additional thorough sanitization of the restaurant using a hospital-grade disinfectant. Our Total Quality manager on site will also be reinforcing our food safety and sanitation practices with our team."
The St. Clair County Health Department plans to release more information as the investigation continues.
Public health officials said Shigella cases should quickly be reported to local health departments by health care providers and laboratories.