Michigan Restaurant Closes Due To Salmonella Scare

A popular Mexican restaurant in Rochester, Michigan, announced that it would be temporarily closing this week while the city investigates a reported salmonella outbreak that may have happened around the restaurant.

According to Rochester Patch, the Rojo Mexican Bistro has voluntarily closed while the health department is investigating 15 reported cases of salmonella saintpaul, an unusual strain of the bacteria that causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps in healthy people. It's more dangers in children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems, but in healthy adults it usually goes away after about a week.

The last salmonella saintpaul outbreak was reportedly connected to some tainted jalapeños, and the source of this one has not yet been uncovered. Food and surfaces at Rojo Mexican Bistro have been tested and as yet no evidence of the salmonella bacteria has surfaced, but "out of an abundance of caution," the restaurant has closed temporarily.

Investigators say the bacteria appears to be spreading through personal contact, so they are strongly recommending that everybody remember to wash their hands before eating and after going to the bathroom.