baby shower foodThe Saginaw News (Michigan) reports that Saginaw County’s lead health official has confirmed that a gastrointestinal illness that struck a group of people in Frankenmuth stemmed from a baby shower at the Frankenmuth Credit Union.

Dr. Neill Varner, Department of Public Health medical director and acting health officer, disclosed the information today, but only after a Detroit television station reported it Thursday.

Since Channel 5, WNEM, aired the first report of the outbreak last weekend, Varner has said that the illness affected people at a private gathering and was not tied to food. He said test results today may determine what virus caused the 23 cases of the gastrointestinal illness.

About 60 people attended the baby shower Sept. 17 at the credit union, 580 N. Main, Varner said. Varner said he received one call from a couple who live and own a business in the town who have experienced symptoms that media reports described.