large and growing hepatitis outbreak linked to Chi Chi's

Published

http:http://www.post-gazette.com/neigh_west/20031107hepa1107p1.asp

Originally posted by MLOS

According to the CDC website, food-borne transmission of HepA is unusual in the U.S.

Scary stuff ...

~Leigh [/b]

It sure hasn't been unusual this year! There was a hepA outbreak in TN/NC in early October that originated at an O'Charley's restaurant. Yuck! I may never eat out again. (Yeah, right!)

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Originally posted by sanakruz

This is horrible-I dont mean to poke fun.

Am I right in thinking there is no requirement to wear gloves? They do that at burgerking here for chrissakes!:o

At the restaurant I used to work at, none of the cooks or chefs wore gloves. Just washed their hands (I hope!) and dug right in.

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Specializes in Everything except surgery.

I have always had a problem with those who work in food service not using gloves, and not having immediately available hand washing areas in the prep area.

I went to a McDonalds in downtown Seattle, and had ordered a sandwich, (which I no longer do), and saw a worker making the sandwich with acrylic nails on, and no gloves. When they bought me the sandwich, I told them I didn't want it. They asked why, and I told them, that the people making the sandwiches should have gloves on. They re-made the sandwich with me watching them, washed their hands and put on gloves. I was given the sandwich for free. A customer next to me said, 'GOOD CALL"!

The next I returned there, which was for coffee, (which is the only thing I get a McDonalds now), they all had on gloves!

I rarely eat out now, as I have seen too many things, and have had bugs even in my salad! When I go to get a sub made, and I see them touch anything else but food, I refuse the food, and I never return again!

This story is waaaaay too scary!

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Originally posted by MLOS

OK, someone who's familiar with the lingo will have to tell me what a Chi-Chi is in slang ... I'm already getting a mental picture ...

~Leigh

It is a boob, a breast.

-Russell

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Specializes in Neonatal.

In Texas I hardly see any of the restaurants using gloves, only subway! It's gross! I think they should pass a law making it MANDATORY for all food preparers to wear gloves! :(

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Gloves are mandatory here. But we had an outbreak a few years ago at a Taco Bell because . . .well . .. this is so gross. One of the employees had a BM in the beans . . . this is NOT an urban myth. It really happened.

I can't eat at Taco Bell anymore.

Have you ever watched those hidden camera Dateline's or 20/20's where they show what really goes on in the kitchens of restaurants?

So scary that we trust foodservers.

steph

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I grew up in Connecticut, where the only Mexican restaurant was Chi-Chi's. None of us knew what the name meant. I moved to Arizona and one day we were talking about Mexican restaurants. I asked if there were any Chi-Chi's around here. There was a moment of silence and then everyone burst out laughing. After about five minutes, someone stopped laughing enough to tell me that Chi-Chi's is slang for breasts. I was so embarrassed! Who knew someone would name a restaurant chain something like that.

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Well they have identified the virus as the type that is usually found in Southwestern US. Most outbreaks with this DNA signature are related to migrant workers. Since all the workers at this establishment are northeners it figures that they were not the orignal source. However, about 11 of them are now infected. Most likely the outbreak is related to a shipment of produce from Southern Cal or Mexico. They are zeroing in on green onions because they are known to have caused outbreaks like this before.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

My wife and I just polished off a bunch of homemade fried rice (was terrific if I may say so) yesterday.

Of course we put a bunch of scallions in it. I personally washed them before cooking though.

So far no prob's. Hope it stays that way!

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