Sunset House Salmonella Outbreak
On May 10, 2003, a cluster of cases of Salmonellosis was reported to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH). The WDH followed up on this report by contacting the West Park Hospital Laboratory, and confirmation was received that three Park County residents had tested positive for Salmonellosis. At least 65 cases of Salmonella serotype Heidelberg were ultimately associated with dining at the Sunset House Restaurant of Cody, Wyoming. Epidemiologic and laboratory analyses indicated that canned mushrooms were the likely vehicle of transmission, although other food items may have been contaminated. The Wyoming Department of Health does not suspect that the mushrooms were contaminated during production, but that canned mushrooms became contaminated through food-handling practices at the restaurant.