Taco Bell Salmonella Hartford and Baildon outbreaks, Nationwide, 2010
In early August, 2010 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that they had identified two multi-state outbreaks of Salmonella, encompassing 155 ill persons in 21 states. Although CDC referred to the source as an unnamed Mexican Food Chain “Restaurant Chain A”, it was later revealed that the restaurant was Taco Bell. Not all of the illnesses are connected to the restaurant chain, and no specific location is indicated.
The two strains (or serotypes) of Salmonella in the outbreaks are quite rare: Salmonella Hartford and Salmonella Baildon. Since April 1, 2010, a total of 75 individuals infected with a matching strain of Salmonella Hartford have been reported from 15 states. The number of ill people identified in each state is as follows: Colorado (1 ill), GA (1 ill), IL (5), IN (11), KY (23), MA (2), MI (3), MT (1), NC (1), NH (1), NY (1), OH (19), PA (1), SC (1) and WI (4). As of May 1, 2010 a total of 80 individuals infected with a matching strain of Salmonella Baildon have been reported from 15 states. Some states are involved in both outbreaks - others are not. The number of ill people identified in each state with Salmonella Baildon is as follows: CT (1), GA (1), IA (1), IL (20), IN (4), KY (5), MA (1), MI (4), MN (5), NJ (6), NY (2), OH (6), OR (1), WA (1) and WI (22).
On August 6, Marler Clark filed the first Salmonella lawsuit associated with the outbreaks on behalf of a Kentucky resident infected with Salmonella Hartford. On February 1, 2011 the firm filed its third Salmonella lawsuit on behalf of a Michigan man infected with Salmonella Baildon. The firm is currently investigating the cases of other ill persons who may be part of the outbreaks.