Listeria scare in Stockholm: Sepsis cases Linked to Popular Restaurant
Stockholm, Sweden – A suspected listeria outbreak linked to the upscale restaurant Coco & Carmen in Stockholm’s Östermalm district has sickened dozens, wiht four individuals diagnosed with sepsis, a possibly life-threatening condition. Health authorities are urging anyone who dined at the restaurant between September 23rd and 27th to monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary.
At least 15 people are currently being treated or observed in hospitals, though officials report that the majority of those affected are experiencing mild symptoms. Critically, no patients have yet required intensive care.
The outbreak stems from a suspected contamination of Listeria,a bacterium commonly found in soil,water,and animals. While listeriosis – the infection caused by Listeria – rarely leads to severe illness, it can trigger sepsis, a hazardous overreaction of the immune system.
“Those with ongoing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or diarrhea are now recommended to visit a hospital emergency room for assessment,” advised Dr.Maria Rotzén Östlund,an infectious disease physician,in a statement to Swedish broadcaster SVT.
Health officials have expanded their investigation beyond the initially targeted dates of September 25th-27th, now tracing contacts of diners who visited Coco & Carmen on September 23rd and 24th. As of Thursday evening, 85 individuals had reported experiencing food poisoning symptoms thru a city-operated tracking system, prompting contact tracing efforts involving approximately 400 people.
Regional health authorities have cautioned that a notable number of people may have been infected, emphasizing the heightened risk posed to pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Coco & Carmen has voluntarily closed its doors while the investigation proceeds, with owners expressing their commitment to cooperating fully with authorities. ”We take this extremely seriously and as the well-being of our guests is our top priority, we have voluntarily closed until further notice,” the restaurant stated, hoping to reopen on october 7th.
Chef and co-owner Joakim Almquist offered a sincere apology, telling SVT, “The only thing I can do is sincerely apologise, becuase I suffer with these people.”
The restaurant has consistently passed food safety inspections, but authorities are working to pinpoint the source of the contamination and prevent further spread. Listeria can thrive in refrigerated conditions over extended periods,making thorough food safety practices crucial. The incubation period for listeriosis can range from several days to three weeks.
Keywords: Listeria, Sepsis, Stockholm, Sweden, Food Poisoning, Coco & Carmen, restaurant Outbreak, Food Safety, Health alert, Lister
