2009 Outbreak of Salmonellosis Linked to A & R Barbeque Restaurant, Tennessee

A dual outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg and Salmonella Infantis occurred among patrons of the A & R Barbeque (also known as, A & R Bar-B-Q) in Memphis, Tennessee, on Hickory Hill Road. The restaurant was one of four locations; the other locations were not implicated. Most of the ill patrons attended a family reunion at Shelby Farms, on July 10 and 11, where food had been catered by A & R Barbeque. Case patients attending the reunion resided in 11 states including: Arkansas; California; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Indiana; Louisiana; Tennessee; Texas; Washington; and Wisconsin. The Salmonella Heidelburg isolated during this outbreak matched that of a 2007 Salmonella Heidelberg outbreak associated with this same restaurant location. Samples from food, surfaces, and restaurant employees failed to show the presence of Salmonella; the implicated pork was unavailable for testing.

Overview

Outbreak began:July 2009
Affected country:US
States/territories:TN
Pathogen:Salmonella Heidelberg, Salmonella Infantis
Vehicle(s):Pork
Location(s):Restaurant
Molecular test results:JF6X01.0032/JF6A26.0076

Health impact

Total ill:53
Number hospitalized:7

Sources & documents

Report / reference links