After Mold Inspection and Unhealthy Food Conditions, Salmonella Outbreak Spreads in Florida

Health officials in Florida are looking into a Salmonella outbreak that could be linked to a Fermandina Beach restaurant.

According to Food Safety News, at least five confirmed cases and three more likely are related to Salmonella after eating at the same restaurant, Pablo’s Mexican Cuisine, a family-owned Florida restaurant.

“We can confirm that the department is investigating the incident at Pablo’s Mexican Cuisine and DBPR [Department of Business and Professional Regulation] conducted an environmental assessment,” said Brad Dalton, deputy press secretary for the Florida Department of Health. “We will have more information when our investigation concludes.”

The DBPR sent a mold inspection team and health officials to search for mold symptoms and other problematic health conditions in the restaurant. According to the inspection reports, taken on August 19, 23, 24, and 25, there were some “basic,” “intermediate,” and “high priority” rulings regarding the food safety at Pablo’s. These violations ranged from faulty temperatures, roaches and other bugs in the bar, and mold.

“It’s weird because all the employees eat here,” said a Pablo’s employee. “My own family eats here, and none of us has gotten sick ever. It’s very strange and out of nowhere.”

If you believe you have been exposed to Salmonella bacteria, contact a medical professional as soon as possible.

Mold can present serious issues in restaurants and businesses and especially in homes. Home mold inspection should be done immediately if you believe your home is at risk for molding. There are professionals that can perform mold testing, mold remediation, and can do everything necessary to prevent mold in your home.

Mold-associated illnesses can cause serious problems as well. If you consistently are experiencing any of these issues you should get medical help:

• Fatigue Loss of Strength — There could be any number of reasons someone experiences weakness and fatigue, but if you believe it stems from exposure to mold, seek medical attention.
• Sensitivity to Light and Pounding Headache — Talk to your doctor if you’re sensitive to lights and sounds and you have a bad headache. It could be due to mold infestation in your home.
• Concentration Issues, Chronic Cough, Joint Pain, and Loss of Breath — All these issues together usually spell out a mold-related illness. Seek medical attention if you’re in serious pain and are experiencing all these issues.

Mold inspection should be done periodically, even if you don’t expect anything to be found. You never know when dangerous mold could be growing in your home, affecting you and your family. Take care of your home and take care of your health!