Clark County Public Health allowed On the Border, a Mexican restaurant in Vancouver, WA, to reopen just as local officials confirmed the Salmonella outbreak connected to the establishment has grown to 88 possible cases. CCPH closed the restaurant Oct. 9 while investigating the cause of the outbreak. On Monday, the health department told The Columbian that the total number of confirmed cases has increased to 28, while there are now a total of 60 probable cases linked to the restaurant. On Sunday, CCPH said there were 23 confirmed and 54 probable cases. “We believe there is no longer a risk of salmonella transmission to the public,” Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health Officer, in a release over the weekend. “All restaurant surfaces and equipment have been inspected, cleaned and sanitized, and all potentially contaminated foods have been removed. All restaurant employees have been tested for Salmonella and those free of infection have been cleared to return to work. This has been a challenging time for everyone involved, especially those who became ill. We appreciate the cooperation of restaurant staff and management through this process and are pleased that the restaurant can now reopen.” The outbreak strain has been identified as Salmonella Virchow. Of the four victims who were hospitalized, three have been released. Health officials said they have not determined the source of the outbreak. Melnick told The Columbian that it is very possible the exact source will never be pinpointed. “In many, if not most, of these food-borne cases we don’t,” said Melnick, noting that all the patrons linked to the outbreak ate many of the same food items at On the Border. “Finding out the ultimate cause is sometimes difficult.” CCPH is reminding consumers that Salmonella symptoms can include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, chills, abdominal discomfort and vomiting. The symptoms generally appear one to three days after exposure. Most people recover on their own without medication. Those concerned they may have a serious foodborne illness should contact their health care provider.
