Officials investigating salmonella outbreak at Old Country Buffet

Public health officials are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis that has sickened 23 people who ate at an Old Country Buffet in Maple Grove.

After eating at the restaurant in late January, the people reported symptoms consistent with salmonella infection including abdominal pain, fever and diarrhea, Minnesota Department of Health officials said. Eleven tested positive for the bacteria and one person was hospitalized.

The source of the outbreak has not yet been identified, but the outbreak appears to be over, said Doug Schultz a spokesman for the department.

"Everybody who was going to get sick probably has already gotten sick, unless it would be some food source that was used more broadly," Schultz said. "But at this time we have no evidence that there is ongoing transmission."

The health department investigates many cases of salmonella infection each year. The recent occurrence attracted media coverage when a Minneapolis lawyer announced he was representing a family sickened in the outbreak.

Hennepin County has inspected the restaurant and cleared it to remain open.