Category - News
Mass Food Poisoning at Seafood Plant Sickens 46 People
Nearly four dozen people at a seafood plant needed medical attention on Oct. 21 after an apparent mass food poisoning incident.
According to WTTG, 46 people at the NAFCO Wholesale Seafood Distributors plant in Jessup, Maryland fell ill after they all ate the same meal. The Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services received reports of multiple people feeling sick, prompting them to send firefighters and paramedics to the scene around 3:45 p.m. to evaluate the affected individuals.
The people were examined and transported to nearby hospitals for further treatment and monitoring. None were in critical condition. But because of the large influx of patients in such a short time, the hospital went into a "mini disaster alert."
"The Health Department is working with partners to investigate the cause of the incident, which at this time we believe was an isolated event," the Howard County Health Department shared in an update.
The Health Department is working with partners to investigate the cause of the incident, which at this time we believe was an isolated event. As we have more information we will share. https://t.co/kxGmf9hJKO
— Howard County Health Department (@HoCoHealth) October 22, 2024
It turns out the food poisoning wasn't caused by seafood at the NAFCO plant, but instead by lunch purchased from an outside source that all 46 workers ate. NAFCO officials told WJLA that employees started feeling sick three hours after eating the food.
Moving forward, the company is no longer allowing any outside food on the premises to avoid situations like this. If you yourself fall ill with food poisoning, make sure to drink plenty of fluids and replace electrolytes as you work through the unpleasant stomach bug.