Officials investigating Salmonella outbreak linked to San Diego restaurant

Five people were hospitalized as part of a Salmonella outbreak linked to a Middle Eastern restaurant in Clairemont, San Diego County health officials have reported.

Officials are investigating the outbreak among patrons of Aladdin Mediterranean Café, where people who reported getting sick had eaten on April 25 and 26. 

“County epidemiologists have identified 14 confirmed and probable cases associated with this outbreak, ranging between 18 and 79 years of age,” according to a news release from the county health department.

The restaurant closed voluntarily when it was notified about the situation, allowing health officials to conduct testing and to interview employees. According to the county, no source of the outbreak has been determined. 

When officials complete their investigation and determine there is no ongoing risk, the health department said the restaurant operators will be cleared to resume operations. 

“People who dined at Aladdin Mediterranean Café in the Clairemont area April 25 –26, 2025, and feel ill with any of the symptoms listed should consider contacting a healthcare provider as needed,” the release said.

Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who ate at the restaurant and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

Data from the county shows that it identified 184 cases of Salmonellosis in 2025 across the region as of April 28. There were 753 cases identified in 2024, 685 in 2023 and 683 in 2022.

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