New Bedford, Massachusetts –The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has notified the local New Bedford Board of Health of several cases of food borne illness linked to food recently served by the Churrascaria Aveirense Restaurant located at 175 Sawyer Street in New Bedford. The New Bedford Board of Health has asked the restaurant owners to close the establishment until further notice. The Board of Health will not permit the restaurant to reopen until all employees have tested negative for the bacteria and the restaurant has met all food safety requirements.

MADPH has informed the local board of health that several persons have tested positive for the bacteria known as Salmonella. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, you should contact your primary health care provider.

The New Bedford Board of Health follows up on all reported cases of food borne illness within the City and works in tandem with the MDPH to determine the source. They also inspect local food establishments to ensure compliance with relevant food safety requirements.

The local Board of Health has issued an informational fact sheet on Salmonella http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/cdc/factsheets/salmonella.pdf and can be reached at 508-991-6199.

Salmonella:  Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Salmonella outbreaks. The Salmonella lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $600 million for clients.  Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our Salmonella lawyers have litigated Salmonella cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of foods, such as cantaloupe, tomatoes, ground turkey, salami, sprouts, cereal, peanut butter, and food served in restaurants.  The law firm has brought Salmonella lawsuits against such companies as Cargill, ConAgra, Peanut Corporation of America, Sheetz, Taco Bell, Subway and Wal-Mart.