The Hopkins County Health Department has identified a local restaurant as the likely source of a recent Giardia outbreak.
According to local health officials, a 50% commonality has been established with the Giardia outbreak and El Tapatio restaurant. Environmental health teams from both the county and state have visited the site to collect samples and begin food safety training. During their inspection, they reported finding that the walk-in refrigerator was not keeping food at a safe temperature, so all food was being discarded, and the restaurant was temporarily closed for maintenance and staff training. Authorities said that El Tapatio is cooperating fully with the Health Department, and other locations are also being investigated for possible links to the outbreak.
Health officials emphasize there is no concern with the county’s drinking water supply. They noted that treated drinking water is unlikely to be affected by Giardia, which is more commonly found in lakes, streams, pools, or puddles.
If you are diagnosed with Giardia, your medical provider will notify the Health Department, so you do not need to contact them yourself. Officials said an epidemiologist will reach out to everyone who tests positive to conduct an investigation.
Officials advise anyone experiencing diarrhea to seek medical care from their provider for proper testing and treatment. They also stress that individuals with diarrhea should not work—especially in food service, daycare, or healthcare—until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours. The most important step for prevention, they added, is thorough handwashing.
Officials with the Hopkins County Health Department reported Monday that 23 cases of Giardia have been confirmed in the county over the past month, an unusually high number for the area, which prompted an investigation.
