An outbreak of salmonella has been linked to a location of a popular taco chain restaurant in Boston's Brighton neighborhood, health officials said Friday.
Los Amigos Taqueria was closed and had its health permit suspended, according to the Boston Public Health Commission, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and Boston Inspectional Services Department, which said in a statement they were investigating the "emerging" outbreak linked to the restaurant.
A hand-written sign said "Closed" and "Sorry" on the door Friday afternoon.
"This is brutal, not a good look at all," said Darren Martinez, who hoped to eat at the restaurant Friday but had to find another option.
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People in Brighton, the rest of Boston and the Greater Boston area were affected by the outbreak, health officials said, urging anyone who visited the Brighton or West Roxbury location between Friday, May 12, and Thursday, May 18, to look out for common salmonella symptoms, including diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain/cramps, and contact their healthcare provider for an evaluation if necessary.
Inspectors on Thursday found a substance like mold and other soiling on surfaces inside the Brighton restaurant, according to a city report.
Separately, an inspection of the Los Amigos in West Roxbury found "several critical health violations" that prompted that location of the chain to be closed as well, health officials said. At that location, rodent droppings were found Friday on food and drink containers, including pineapple cans and a bag of pinto beans, according to the city.
NBC10 Boston reached out to Los Amigos, which has three other locations in the Boston area, and they declined to comment.
The Boston Public Health Commission tells NBC10 Boston that most people don't need to seek medical care for salmonella infection because it typically clears up on its own within a few days, however people should call a healthcare provider and/or seek emergency care if they are sick and experiencing any of the following:
- Symptoms that last more than a few days
- High fever or bloody stools
- Dehydration with signs such as urinating less than usual, dark-colored urine and having a dry mouth and tongue
Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) is a common bacterial disease, according to the Boston Public Health Commission. Salmonella bacteria typically live in animals and humans and are shed through stool. People become infected most commonly by eating contaminated water or food. Symptoms usually begin six hours to six days after infection and normally lasts four to seven days. It's important for anyone sick with salmonella infection to drink extra fluids to avoid dehydration.
