23 inmates suffering from salmonella poisoning at St. Joseph County Jail

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- On April 29, St. Joseph County Jail medical staff began treating 23 inmates for similar food poisoning symptoms, including diarrhea, dehydration and fever.

The medical team determined the cause of the symptoms to be food born salmonella poisoning. County and State Health Departments were called and came to conduct an inspection and help determine a direct cause of the food poising. Test results were taken by the health department have not returned, and a cause has not yet been determined.

Sheriff Redman reports that the Jail kitchen was inspected by the Health Department on April 25, just five days before the incident. The Jail kitchen passed that inspection with no critical violations found and Jail kitchen staff made immediate corrections to two minor non-critical violations, including standing water on the floor near a dish machine and mold found on wire racks in a walk-in cooler.

At this time most of the inmates have fully recovered, and a few continue to be treated for food poisoning symptoms. Jail staff will continue to work with the Jail food service provider, the Jail medical service provider, and the County and State Health Departments to determine a direct cause of the illness so that they can take all necessary corrective actions.