The number of affected people continues to grow as more come forward to report shigella infections after eating at a Lombard Subway restaurant.
Dave Hass of the DuPage County Health Department said there are currently 116 confirmed shigella cases linked to the Subway restaurant as of today. Of those cases, 13 people were hospitalized and 12 were discharged. Hass also said the source of the shigella is unknown at this time and might never be pinpointed. The restaurant, 1009 E. Roosevelt Road, has been closed since March 4.
Law firm Marler Clark now represents close to 70 people affected by the outbreak. Drew Falkenstein, attorney at Marler Clark, said three lawsuits have been filed as of now. While they will not file 70 separate suits, Falkenstein said they will pursue claims on everybody’s behalf.
Shigella infections are spread from person to person, and also can be acquired from contaminated food. The disease can be prevented by frequent hand washing with soap and water.
People who have developed these symptoms between Feb. 24 to March 1 after eating at the Lombard Subway restaurant are advised to contact their physicians and the DuPage County Health Department at (630) 682-7400. Information on shigellosis is available at http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbshigellosis.htm.