In March and April of 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) joined the Texas Department of health (TDH), the City of Dallas Department of Environmental Health Services, and Dallas County Health and Human Services Department in a Salmonella outbreak investigation.
At least 650 people reported becoming ill after attending conferences and conventions held at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel in Dallas. At least 50 were confirmed with Salmonella infections, and victims from every state were part of the outbreak. Of one group of 2,200 people who attended a conference at the hotel, 278 reported diarrhea and vomiting consistent with salmonellosis.
Health department investigators concluded that a hotel food-service worker who had a Salmonella infection contaminated food during the preparation process. The victims of the outbreak then were infected by consuming the contaminated food. According to TDH, “the food most commonly consumed by those who tested positive for salmonellosis was salsa, which was made in the hotel.” This salsa was prepared by the infected worker on a daily basis.
The banquet kitchen was found to have insufficient hygienic practices and soap or paper towels were not found at all hand sinks.
Marler Clark represented 19 victims of the Salmonella outbreak in claims against the Wyndham Anatole Hotel. Their claims were resolved in 2003.