Officials investigate suspected food poisoning incident in Maryland; 46 hospitalized
Dozens of people who allegedly ate the same thing were hospitalized. Officials are investigating the incident.
Editor's Note: Click here for the latest on the mass food poisoning incident.
Forty-six people were hospitalized in Maryland after firefighters received reports of multiple people with food poisoning in Jessup, Maryland.
Firefighters and paramedics from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services responded to the scene at 3:45 p.m. Monday in Jessup, about 15 miles southwest of Baltimore, according to a news release published by Howard County Fire and Rescue Services.
Victims were evaluated and taken to multiple area hospitals in different counties but were non-critical after they ate the same meal, according to the department.
The victims were believed to have eaten food at the NAFCO Wholesale Seafood Distributor, reported Fox 5 DC.
"At this time, we are not aware of any risk of further illnesses connected to this incident," the Howard County Health Department stated in a Facebook post.
The Maryland Department of Health and the Howard County Health Department are on location investigating the incident.
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What did the victims eat?
Investigators believe the poisoning stemmed from food that originated from outside the distributor and was brought into the facility and prepared by an employee, according to the Howard County Health Department, which did not specify what food was brought in by the employee.
The department is unsure who the food poisoning victims are and when they ate the food, spokeswoman Lisa de Hernández said.
Symptoms of food poisoning
Officials did not reveal the victims' symptoms that led them to be hospitalized. But, according to the CDC, symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the food poisoning.
The following are the most common symptoms of food poisoning, according to the agency:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
People with severe food poisoning can face the following:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Diarrhea that lasts over 3 days
- A high fever with temperatures over 102 degrees
- Vomiting so much they can't keep liquids down
- Dehydration, which can include symptoms like not peeing, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness when standing
This story was updated to add new information.
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