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# Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Texas Community Church Luncheon
- URL: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2015/10/salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-texas-community-church-luncheon/
- Published: 2015-10-09T02:05:49.000Z
- Updated: 2018-07-31T07:44:33.000Z
- Author: News Desk
- Tags: Foodborne Illness Investigations, Foodborne Illness Outbreaks, Government Agencies, Bethesda United Methodist Church, Christine Mann, food safety, Garner, Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto General Hospital, Salmonella, Spencer Row, Texas, Texas Department of State Health Services, Weatherford, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-11-25 10:59

At least 30 people were [reportedly](http://www.weatherforddemocrat.com/news/salmonella-case-sends-church-members-to-hospital/article%5Fb93b2914-6e0f-11e5-9bd2-6fc3dc27e6be.html?ref=foodsafetynews.com) sickened following a recent community meal at a church northwest of Weatherford in Parker County, TX. Several of them, including children, were admitted to local hospitals, according to family members. Symptoms being reported included kidney problems and dehydration. The Bethesda United Methodist Church [calendar](http://web2.airmail.net/~/z1469064/Calendar.htm?ref=foodsafetynews.com) indicates that a “covered dish luncheon” was planned for Saturday, Oct. 3.

[![Bethesda United Methodist Church](http://foodsafetynewsfullservice.marlersites.com/files/2015/10/Bethesda-United-Methodist-Church-1.jpg)](http://foodsafetynewsfullservice.marlersites.com/files/2015/10/Bethesda-United-Methodist-Church-2.jpg?ref=foodsafetynews.com)

The Bethesda United Methodist Church northwest of Weatherford, TX.

The state health department is investigating a *Salmonella* outbreak linked to that luncheon, said spokeswoman Christine Mann. Texas Department of State Health Services officials have three confirmed *Salmonella* cases and have learned of about 30 people with symptoms of gastrointestinal illness, she said. “We haven’t identified a contaminated food source,” Mann said. While church officials have acknowledged the situation, they are not commenting publicly and have asked their members not to share more information on social media sites. “Seems that everyone is on the slow road to recovery, so praise The Lord!,” [posted](https://www.facebook.com/groups/111434684365/?fref=nf) Youth Pastor Spencer Row on the church’s Facebook page on Thursday, Oct. 8\. He added, “Unfortunately, the situation that has taken place in our church has grabbed the attention of our local media. At this time, we as church staff, believe it is in the church‘s best interest to allow our conference to handle this situation. We have taken the necessary steps to provide assistance internally. We ask that you refrain from posting or sharing any further information about this situation, for the protection of our members and our church as a whole. “Please continue to pray for everyone, and make known how much love we have for one another! It’s in times like these that the true strength of the church is revealed,” he wrote.

One member of the church also posted on the Facebook page that he had been admitted to Palo Pinto General Hospital in Mineral Wells, TX, with kidney issues and “severe abdominal pain.” “This stuff is just nasty!,” the man wrote.

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