All News / Outbreaks /

Fern Hill Golf & Country Club Salmonella Outbreak Lawsuits - Michigan (2005)

In May of 2005, the Macomb County Health Department (MCHD) received notice that five Macomb County residents had recently tested positive for Salmonella infection, and commenced an outbreak investigation. MCHD staff interviewed the five case-patients, and learned that all had become ill shortly after attending an after-concert reception held at the Macomb County Community College Performing Arts Center in Clinton Township. MCHD staff learned that after-concert events had been held on two consecutive nights, at the Arts Center. Twenty dessert items plus coffee, wine and champagne were served. The dessert items were provided by Fern Hill Golf and Country Club and two other vendors.

MCHD interviewed 70 people who had attended after-concert events; twenty-three reported symptoms consistent with Salmonellosis, and eight were laboratory-confirmed with Salmonella. Data analysis established a statistically significant association between consumption of éclairs served both days and illness. An on-site evaluation at the Fern Hill Golf and Country Club kitchen, two critical violations were noted: the bakery dishwasher did not have a detectable level of chlorine sanitizer and raw eggs were stored above milk and ready to eat foods in the bakery walk-in refrigerator.

Although the Macomb County Health Department was unable to identify how food items served and prepared at Fern Hill had become contaminated with Salmonella, the MCHD identified éclairs as the likely source of illness in its outbreak report submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MCHD listed eight confirmed cases of Salmonella and 17 probable cases as part of the Salmonella outbreak traced to the Macomb County Community College “After-Concert” reception.

Marler Clark’s Salmonella lawyers represented several women, all of whom became ill with Salmonella infections in the days following their attendance at after-concert receptions and received emergency medical treatment or were hospitalized as a result of their infections. The cases were resolved in mid-2006.

Get Help

Affected by an outbreak or recall?

The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more.

Get a free consultation
Related Resources
Salmonella Food Poisoning

What is Salmonella and how does it cause food poisoning? The term Salmonella refers to a specific group of gram-negative bacteria with the potential to cause gastrointestinal distress and other...

The Incidence of Salmonella Infections

Typhoidal Salmonella Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhi, Sendai, and Paratyphi A, B, or C are found exclusively in humans. These serotypes, collectively referred to as typhoidal Salmonella, cause enteric fever (also...

The Prevalence of Salmonella in Food and Elsewhere

Most Salmonella infections are caused by eating contaminated food. One study found that 87% of all confirmed cases of Salmonella are foodborne. Foods of animal origin, including meat, poultry, eggs...

Transmission of Salmonella Bacteria

In the past two decades, consumption of produce, especially sprouts, tomatoes, fruits, leafy greens, nuts, and nut butters, has been associated with Salmonella illnesses. The surface of fruits and vegetables...

Symptoms of Salmonella Infection

Symptoms of Salmonella infection include painful abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and fever. Salmonella infections can have a broad range of illness, from no symptoms to severe illness. The most common clinical...

Outbreak Database

Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks?

The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more.

View Outbreak Database