FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Landers, M.D.
(256) 383-1231
The Colbert and Lauderdale County Health Departments, in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), continue to investigate gastrointestinal illnesses in persons who ate at a catered event hosted by North American Lighting Co. in Muscle Shoals, Ala., on Sunday, October 15.
Persons who attended the event have primarily reported symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. No persons have been hospitalized. Dr. Karen Landers, District Medical Officer, states that all the persons reported to be ill attended the event at North American Lighting and there is no known ongoing threat to the general public at this time.
The health department has received the names of 86 persons who attended the event and has sent surveys through North American Lighting for attendees to complete. Food and patient specimens were sent to the Bureau of Clinical Laboratories, ADPH, and their testing process is ongoing.
Dr. Landers states, “Testing during an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness requires meticulous laboratory analysis over a period of several days to isolate and confirm any germs which may have caused the illness. The health department will continue to investigate and gather information to determine the source of this illness."