A popular Scarborough restaurant has been shut down after a salmonella outbreak last month caused several people to become ill and may have resulted in one death.
On Wednesday, Toronto Public Health slapped a red closed notice on Ruby Chinese Restaurant on Sandhurst Circle, citing the incidents of food poisoning between September 12th to the 20th as well as an ongoing insect infestation.
“There were issues with proper handling and storing of the food to protect it from contamination. There was a cockroach infestation that was ongoing. It’s possible that these could have [led to the salmonella outbreak,]” revealed Dr. Howard Shapiro of Toronto Public Health.
"Right now it looks like it might be something involving chicken or duck. But we're still trying to determine for sure."
Shapiro says there are 18 confirmed cases and 19 suspected cases, including the death of an elderly man, but stresses there is no risk to the general public.
In fact, a public health report released last year found that although an estimated 400,000 people in the city suffer from food poisoning every year, it’s usually from meals prepared at home.
Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, constipation, headaches, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and blood in the feces. Mild cases usually clear up in four to seven days. If the symptoms persist or are severe, consult a doctor.
For the full report, including seven previous inspections the restaurant passed, click here.