--- title: "Merle's BBQ Clostridium Perfringens Outbreak" date: 2011-03-01T13:33:00-08:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/merles-bbq-clostridium-perfringens-outbreak" section: Litigation Landing Pages --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / / # Merle's BBQ Clostridium Perfringens Outbreak On February 17th, 2011 Evanston School District 65 notified the City of Evanston Health Department that 30 people became sick after eating at a parent-teacher night that was catered by Merle’s BBQ the previous evening. The ensuing investigation determined the cause of the outbreak was barbequed pulled chicken contaminated with Clostridium perfringens catered by Merle’s BBQ and revealed unsafe food handling and storage temperatures at both Merle’s BBQ Restaurant and the school the food was served at. ## What is Clostridium Perfringens? Clostridium perfringens bacterium produce toxins that are harmful in humans and while the bacterium and its toxins exist ubiquitously, humans are typically only harmed after eating food with the bacterium in it. ## Clostridium Perfringens Symptoms Usually people exhibit symptoms of a Clostridium perfringens infection within 6-24 hours after consumption. Symptoms typically include gastrointestinal pain, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. ## Contact the Marler Clark Clostridium Perfringens Attorneys Marler Clark is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of foodborne illnesses. If you or a family member became ill with a Clostridium perfringens infection and you are interested in pursuing a legal claim, you can contact the Marler Clark foodborne illness attorneys for a free case evaluation. You can fill out the contact form to the right or call toll-free at 866-770-2032. There is no cost to you. ### Recent outbreaks and recalls August 23, 2023 ###### [Listeria outbreak: Three die after drinking contaminated milkshakes](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/listeria-outbreak-three-die-after-drinking-contaminated-milkshakes) Three people have died, and three others are in hospital after drinking milkshakes contaminated with listeria bacteria in the US state of Washington, health officials … July 12, 2023 ###### [2011 Listeria outbreaks linked to cantaloupes: A history](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/2011-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-cantaloupes-a-history) A total of 148 persons infected with any of the five outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes were reported to the CDC from 28 states. The … May 20, 2023 ###### [A quick look at the 2018 Hepatitis A outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/a-quick-look-at-the-2018-hepatitis-a-outbreak) Litigation proceeded in a Virginia state court against Tropical Smoothie and the strawberry supply chain. 134 people with Hepatitis A were reported from nine states … [1. View all ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) ## All Resources [###### E. coli ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli-landing) [###### E. coli Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-food-poisoning) [###### E. coli O157:H7 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-o157h7) [###### Non-O157 STEC ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/non-o157-stec) [###### Sources of E. coli ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/sources-of-e-coli) [###### Transmission of and Infection with E. coli ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/transmission-of-and-infection-with-e-coli) [###### Symptoms of E. coli infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/symptoms-of-e-coli-infection) [###### Complications of E. coli infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/complications-of-e-coli-infection) [###### Treatment for E. coli infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/treatment-for-e-coli-infection) [###### How is E. coli Infection Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/how-is-e-coli-infection-diagnosed) [###### Preventing E. coli Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/preventing-e-coli-infection) [###### E. coli Outbreaks ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-outbreaks) [###### Real Life Impacts of E. coli Infection and HUS ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/real-life-impacts-of-e-coli-infection-and-hus) [###### E. coli Recalls ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-recalls) [###### References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/references) [###### Salmonella ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella-landing) [###### Salmonella Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/about-salmonella) [###### The Incidence of Salmonella Infections ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/the-incidence-of-salmonella-infections) [###### The Prevalence of Salmonella in Food and Elsewhere ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/the-prevalence-of-salmonella-in-food-and-elsewhere) [###### Transmission of Salmonella Bacteria ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/transmission-of-salmonella-bacteria) [###### Symptoms of Salmonella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/salmonella-symptoms-risks) [###### Complications of Salmonella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/complications-of-salmonella-infection) [###### How is Salmonella Infection Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/salmonella-diagnosis) [###### Treatment for Salmonella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/salmonella-treatment) [###### Antimicrobial Resistance ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/antibiotic-resistance) [###### The Economic Impact of Salmonella Infections ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/the-economic-impact-of-salmonella-infections) [###### Real Life Impacts of Salmonella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/real-life-impacts-of-salmonella-infection) [###### How to Prevent a Salmonella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/salmonella-prevention) [###### Salmonella Outbreaks ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/salmonella-outbreaks) [###### Salmonella Outbreak at Minnesota Chipotle Sickens 64 People ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/salmonella-outbreak-at-minnesota-chipotle-sickens-64-people) [###### Citterio Salame Stick Oubreak ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/citterio-salame-stick-oubreak) [###### Salmonella Recalls ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella/salmonella-recalls) [###### Listeria ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria-landing) [###### Listeria Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/about-listeria) [###### The Incidence of Listeria Infections ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/the-incidence-of-listeria-infections) [###### The Prevalence of Listeria in Food and the Environment ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-prevalence) [###### Transmission of and Infection with Listeria ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/transmission-of-and-infection-with-listeria) [###### Who is Most at Risk of Becoming Ill with Listeria? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/who-is-most-at-risk-for-becoming-ill-with-listeria) [###### What Are the Symptoms of Listeria Infection? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-symptoms-risks) [###### Complications of Listeria Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/complications-of-listeria-infection) [###### How is Listeria Infection Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-diagnosis) [###### Treatment for Listeria Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-treatment) [###### Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/antimicrobial-resistance-in-bacteria) [###### The Economic Impact of Listeria Infections ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/the-economic-impact-of-listeria-infections) [###### Preventing Listeria Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-prevention) [###### Hepatitis A ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a-landing) [###### Hepatitis A Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/about-hepatitis) [###### The Incidence of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/how-common-is-hepatitis-a-infection) [###### Transmission of Hepatitis A ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/how-does-hepatitis-a-spread) [###### Symptoms of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-symptoms-risks) [###### Complications of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-complications) [###### Diagnosis of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-diagnosis) [###### Treatment for Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-treatment) [###### Real Life Impacts of Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts) [###### Real Life Impacts: The Story of Michael ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts-the-story-of-michael) [###### Real Life Impacts: The Story of Ben and Lynn ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts-the-story-of-ben-and-lynn) [###### Real Life Impacts: The Story of Richard Miller ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/real-life-impacts-the-story-of-richard-miller) [###### How to Prevent Hepatitis A Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-prevention) [###### Outbreaks of Hepatitis A ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-outbreaks) [###### Norovirus ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus-landing) [###### Norovirus Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/about-norwalk) [###### Symptoms and Risks of Norovirus Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-symptoms-risks) [###### How is Norovirus Infection Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-diagnosis) [###### Treatment for Norovirus Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-treatment) [###### Preventing Norovirus Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-prevention) [###### Botulism ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism-landing) [###### What is Botulism? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism/what-is-botulism) [###### Epidemiology and Microbiology of Botulism ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism/epidemiology-and-microbiology-of-botulism) [###### Symptoms of Botulism ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism/symptoms-of-botulism) [###### Detection and Treatment of Botulism ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism/detection-and-treatment-of-botulism) [###### Botulism Outcomes and Long-Term and Permanent Injury ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism/botulism-outcomes-and-long-term-and-permanent-injury) [###### Preventing Botulism ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism/preventing-botulism) [###### Botulism Outbreaks ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism/botulism-outbreaks) [###### Campylobacter ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter-landing) [###### Campylobacter Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter/about-campylobacter) [###### The Incidence of Campylobacter Infections ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter/campylobacter-incidence) [###### The Prevalence of Campylobacter in Food and Elsewhere ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter/campylobacter-prevalence) [###### Transmission of Campylobacter jejuni ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter/campylobacter-transmission) [###### Symptoms of Campylobacter infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter/campylobacter-symptoms-risks) [###### Complications of Campylobacter Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter/campylobacter-complications) [###### Diagnosis of a Campylobacter Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter/campylobacter-diagnosis) [###### Treatment for Campylobacter Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter/campylobacter-treatment) [###### The Economic Impact of Campylobacter Infections ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter/campylobacter-economic-impact) [###### Real Life Impacts of Campylobacter Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter/real-life-impacts-of-campylobacter-infection) [###### Mari Tardiff's Story ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter/mari-tardiffs-story) [###### How Can Campylobacter Food Poisoning Be Prevented? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter/campylobacter-prevention) [###### Campylobacter Outbreaks ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter/campylobacter-outbreaks) [###### Cyclospora ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora-landing) [###### Cyclospora Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/what-is-cyclospora) [###### Epidemiology of Cyclospora ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/epidemiology-of-cyclospora) [###### Cyclospora’s Mode of Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/cyclosporas-mode-of-infection) [###### Symptoms of Cyclospora Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/symptoms-of-cyclospora-infection) [###### How is Cyclospora Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/how-is-cyclospora-diagnosed) [###### Cyclosporiasis Treatment ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/cyclosporiasis-treatment) [###### What Are the Serious and Long-term Risks of Cyclospora Infection? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/what-are-the-serious-and-long-term-risks-of-cyclospora-infection) [###### Cyclospora Outbreaks ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/cyclospora-outbreaks) [###### Shigella ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella-landing) [###### Shigella Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/about-shigella) [###### The Incidence of Shigella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-incidence) [###### The Prevalence of Shigella in Food and Elsewhere ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-prevalence) [###### How is Shigella Infection Spread? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-transmission) [###### Symptoms of Shigella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-symptoms-risks) [###### Complications of Shigella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-complications) [###### How is Shigellosis Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-diagnosis) [###### Treatment for Shigella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-treatment) [###### The Economic Impact of Shigella Infections ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-economic-impact) [###### How to Prevent Shigella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-prevention) [###### Outbreaks of Shigella Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-outbreaks) [###### Reactive Arthritis ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis-landing) [###### What is Reactive Arthritis? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis/about-reactive-arthritis) [###### Symptoms of Reactive Arthritis ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis/reiters-syndrome-symptoms-risks) [###### How is Reactive Arthritis Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis/reiters-syndrome-symptoms-risks-1) [###### What is the Prognosis for People Who Have Reactive Arthritis? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis/reiters-syndrome-prognosis) [###### Treatment for Reactive Arthritis ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis/reiters-syndrome-treatment) [###### Can Reactive Arthritis be Prevented? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis/reiters-syndrome-prevention) [###### Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome-landing) [###### Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome/about-hus) [###### Symptoms of HUS ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome/hus-symptoms-risks) [###### Treatment for HUS ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome/hus-treatment) [###### HUS Outcomes ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome/about-hus-outcomes) [###### HUS and Kidney Transplantation ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome/about-hus-kidney-transplantation) [###### HUS Research ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome/hus-research) [###### Irritable Bowel Syndrome ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome-landing) [###### What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/what-is-irritable-bowel-syndrome) [###### Causes of IBS ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/causes-of-ibs) [###### Post-Infectious IBS ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/post-infectious-ibs) [###### Dyspepsia and Gastroparesis ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/dyspepsia-gastroparesis) [###### IBS Diagnosis ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/ibs-diagnosis) [###### IBS Treatment ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/ibs-treatment) [###### Irritable Bowel Syndrome References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome/irritable-bowel-syndrome-references) [###### Guillain-Barré Syndrome ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome-landing) [###### What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome/about-guillain-barre-syndrome) [###### Symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome/guillain-barre-symptoms-risks) [###### How is Guillain-Barré Syndrome Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome/guillain-barre-diagnosis) [###### Treatment for Guillain-Barré Syndrome ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome/guillain-barre-treatment) [###### Preventing Guillain-Barré Syndrome ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome/guillain-barre-prevention) [###### Reactive Arthritis References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis/reactive-arthritis-references) [###### Norovirus References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norovirus-references) [###### Botulism References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism/botulism-references) [###### Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/antimicrobial-resistance-in-bacteria-shigella) [###### Shigella References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella/shigella-references) [###### Campylobacter References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter/campylobacter-references) [###### Cyclospora References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/cyclospora-references) [###### Guillain-Barre References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome/guillain-barre-references) [###### HUS References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome/hus-references) [###### Hepatitis A References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a/hepatitis-a-references) [###### Listeria References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria/listeria-references) ### Other foodborne illnesses [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)