Central State Hospital Foodborne Illness Outbreak

Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals and other regulatory agencies are investigating a foodborne illness outbreak, which left 40 sickened and three dead at Central State Hospital in Pineville, Louisiana.

Located in Alexandria, Louisiana, the law firm of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault has represented hundreds of victims of foodborne illness. If you or a loved one has been sickened in the food poisoning outbreak at Central State Hospital or in another foodborne illness outbreak, contact our food safety lawyers today. Call 1-800-256-1050 or use our online contact form

Chicken Salad Named Source of Foodborne Illness Outbreak

Patients and staff at Pineville’s Central State Hospital were sickened with “gastrointestinal symptoms” May 7th 2010 around 6:30pm, by the next morning, 3 victims were dead and several were hospitalized. Each of the victims reportedly ate chicken salad before developing symptoms.

State health officials determined that tainted chicken salad caused the outbreak. Routine testing found two types of foodborne illnesses, norovirus and Clostridium perfringens.  The cause of the acute illnesses and deaths were attributed to Clostridium perfringens.  

Clostridium perfringens

This bacteria comes from the same genus as the botulism bacterium. “Perfringens” is called the “cafeteria germ” because it usually found in foods served in quantity and left for long periods of time at room temperature. It can be spread when serving dishes don’t keep food hot enough or food is chilled too slowly.

Clostridium perfringens can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea (sometimes severe or watery), abdominal distention, dehydration, shock and in some cases, like at Central State Hospital, infections can lead to death.

Advocating For Food Safety: Legal Recourse

At Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, we understand the serious complications and financial consequences that foodborne illnesses can cause. The food poisoning lawyers of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault believe that food safety should be a top national priority and we advocate for that every day on behalf of our clients in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and across the country.

If you or a loved one has gotten seriously ill from eating contaminated food, contact our foodborne illness attorneys by calling 1-800-256-1050 or use our online contact form. We offer a free evaluation of your case and we can help you protect your legal rights. If you have a valid claim, we can help you recover money for your medical bills, lost wages and other expenses related to your illness.