Food Poisoning Suspected in 3 Deaths, 40 Illnesses at Central State Hospital in Pineville, LA

Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals and other regulatory agencies are investigating a possible foodborne illness outbreak, which left 40 sickened and three dead at Central State Hospital in Pineville, Louisiana.

“This is one of the potential hazards associated with institutional dining settings…one tainted food handler or poisoned food item can contaminate a large number of people in a short amount of time,” said Attorney Richard J. Arsenault, who will be speaking on foodborne illness outbreaks at the upcoming American Association for Justice convention in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Arsenault’s firm, the Alexandria-based Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, has represented hundreds of foodborne illness victims throughout Louisiana and across the country.  The Firm has worked with many of the nation’s top food safety experts in some of the nation’s largest food poisoning outbreaks.

At Pineville’s Central State Hospital, patients and staff were sickened with “gastrointestinal symptoms” around Friday, May 7^th at 6:30am, by Saturday morning, 3 victims were dead and several more hospitalized.  Each of the victims reportedly ate chicken salad before developing symptoms.

“The health agencies are investigating what might have gone wrong at Central State.  They will be testing ingredients of the chicken salad that was served at the facility and reportedly eaten by the victims prior to the on-set of the illnesses,” added Attorney Richard J. Arsenault.

Investigators believe that the outbreak was limited to an isolated incident at the hospital.  Central State Hospital’s kitchen will remain cordoned while the investigation continues.  Health agencies are also anticipating receiving the autopsy reports for the three victims and other laboratory results within a few days.

“According to CDC estimates, foodborne illness is responsible for over 5000 deaths in America every year,” added Arsenault “that number of victims is just unacceptable when we are dealing with illnesses that are for the most part preventable.”