Public health officials in Cook County, Illinois have closed kitchen facilities at a country club after dozens were sickened by salmonella bacteria.  According to media reports, the Cook County Department of Public Health is investigating at least 79 confirmed and potential cases related to the outbreak at the Skokie Country Club in Glencoe, Illinois.

The outbreak is believed to have started on June 12^th, and at least eight individuals have since been hospitalized.  The Department of Public Health began its investigation on June 24^th, at which point the country club shut down its kitchen.  While health officials have said that the hospitalizations have all been linked to the Skokie Country Club, the contaminated food source is still unknown.

Salmonella poisoning is caused by salmonella bacteria, and, according to the CDC, most infected individuals develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 12 to 72 hours of infection.  The illness often lasts for 4 to 7 days, and in severe cases the infection can spread to other parts of the body, causing death in some cases.  Patients hospitalized with severe salmonella poisoning are often treated only with an increase in fluid intake, but in cases where the disease has spread past the intestines, antibiotics are generally required.

If you visited the Skokie Country Club between June 12^th and June 24^th, and have experienced any of the above symptoms, you can call the Cook County Department of Public Health disease reporting hotline at (708) 492-2150.

There is no vaccination against salmonella poisoning, and the best method of preventing the illness is sanitary food preparation.  The CDC recommends avoiding raw eggs and unpasteurized dairy products, regularly washing hands, and ensuring that meats are fully cooked.  The agency also advises individuals and restaurants to keep raw meat separate from other foods to avoid cross-contamination of foods.