Infection Hazard - Diarrhoea

At least 15 people have been hospitalised and as many as 80 complained of food poisoning after a Listeria outbreak at the Coco & Carmen restaurant in Stockholm's upmarket Östermalm district. <br />According to Swedish public broadcaster SVT, 15 people are currently being treated in hospital in Stockholm as a result of the outbreak, four of whom have developed sepsis. <br />Customers who ate at the restaurant over the weekend and early this week are also being treated for food poisoning after returning to their homes in Uppsala, Örebro, Östergötland, Kronoberg, and Dalarna. <br />"Those who have symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and diarrhea are recommended to visit a hospital emergency room for assessment," Maria Rotzén Östlund, the infectious diseases doctor in Region Stockholm, told SVT. <br />Coco & Carmen is a relaxed restaurant in one of the most upmarket areas of Stockholm. The tasting menu costs 795 kronor, with an extra 795 kronor for drinks. <br />On the restaurant's website, there is currently a message to customers explaining its decision to close as a result of the outbreak. <br />"We take this very seriously and as the well-being of our guests is our top priority, we have on our own initiative closed the restaurant until further notice and started an investigation to clarify where or how this happened." <br />Joakim Almquist, chef and co-owner at the restaurant, told SVT he was appalled by what had happened. <br />"The only thing I can do is sincerely apologize, because I am suffering along with these people," he said. <br />Since the first case was reported on Saturday, Stockholm city authorities have received more than 80 complaints of food poisoning from people who have eaten at the restaurant. <br />"My partner and her two children went there on Thursday evening and all three have a high fever and chills," said one report. "My partner is in intensive care. The next day two other people went there, and they have the same symptoms." <br />A check on the restaurant by food hygiene inspectors on Monday identified no shortcomings in its hygiene or how ingredients are handled, and the restaurant has passed all inspections since it was founded.<br />Inspectors are now awaiting the results of tests to determine which of the various ingredients used in the tasting menu could have caused the outbreak.