Four individuals have been diagnosed with sepsis following a visit to Coco & Carmen, a luxury restaurant in Stockholm, amid a suspected listeria outbreak. Health authorities report that at least 15 people have been treated or are under observation in local hospitals after dining at the high-end establishment located in the Östermalm district.
According to officials in Stockholm, most of those affected are not seriously ill, and none of the hospitalized individuals have required intensive care. Listeria, a type of bacterium, can lead to listeriosis, a serious infection that may result in sepsis, which is a potentially life-threatening overreaction of the immune system.
Infection tracing efforts, initially limited to patrons who visited the restaurant between September 25 and 27, have now expanded to include guests from September 23 and 24. Maria Rotzén Östlund, an infectious disease physician, advised those experiencing ongoing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or diarrhea to seek evaluation at a hospital emergency room.
Regional health officials have indicated that a significant number of individuals may have been infected and highlighted that the greatest risk from listeria is posed to vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Reports indicate that 80 people have registered cases of food poisoning linked to the restaurant between the previous Saturday and Thursday morning, with 400 individuals contacted for tracing.
Coco & Carmen has temporarily closed its doors during the investigation into the suspected outbreak. The restaurant stated that it has consistently passed food safety inspections and is actively cooperating with health authorities. Chef and co-owner Joakim Almquist expressed his regret regarding the situation and emphasized the restaurant’s commitment to guest safety.
Listeria is typically found in soil, water, and animals, and is known to spread through contaminated food. While many people experience mild flu-like symptoms, severe illness such as meningitis or sepsis can occur, with an incubation period that can range from several days to three weeks.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjd1g5y8755o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss