San Diego, CA — May 1, 2025
A salmonella outbreak has led to at least five hospitalizations and 14 reported cases, according to San Diego County public health officials. The source of the outbreak has been traced to Aladdin Mediterranean Café, a popular restaurant located at 5420 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in the Clairemont neighborhood.
🚨 Timeline of the Outbreak
The cases involve diners who ate at the restaurant between April 25 and April 26. Among the 14 individuals affected—both confirmed and probable cases—the age range spans from 18 to 79 years old. The illness prompted multiple emergency room visits, with five people requiring hospitalization.
All patients have since been treated, and there have been no fatalities reported.
🦠 What Is Salmonella?
Salmonella is a bacterial infection often linked to contaminated food or water. Symptoms typically include:
- Fever
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Symptoms generally appear 6 hours to 6 days after exposure and can last 4 to 7 days. In severe cases, especially among young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals, the infection can lead to hospitalization or even death if untreated.
🧪 Investigation & Restaurant Response
After being notified by county officials, Aladdin Mediterranean Café voluntarily closed to allow for a full inspection and investigation by the County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality and Public Health Services.
The restaurant is cooperating fully, and health authorities are:
- Interviewing staff
- Testing food samples
- Conducting environmental swabs
- Reviewing kitchen hygiene practices
As of now, the specific source of contamination has not been identified, but the investigation is ongoing. The restaurant will remain closed until it is deemed safe to reopen.
📈 Countywide Salmonella Trends
So far in 2025, San Diego County has reported 184 cases of salmonellosis, in line with recent trends (753 cases in 2024 and 685 in 2023). Health officials say clusters like this are uncommon but taken seriously due to their potential for rapid spread in food service settings.
🗣️ What Officials Are Saying
“We are actively working to identify the source of this outbreak and prevent further illness,” said a spokesperson for the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. “Prompt reporting by affected individuals allowed us to take quick action.”
Officials are urging anyone who dined at Aladdin Mediterranean Café on April 25 or 26 and is experiencing symptoms to contact their healthcare provider and report their illness to the county’s health department.
✅ What You Can Do
- Wash hands thoroughly before preparing or eating food.
- Cook meat, poultry, and eggs to the recommended internal temperatures.
- Avoid consuming raw or undercooked foods that may carry bacteria.
- Stay informed about food safety alerts.
For those in San Diego, updates on the investigation and reopening status of Aladdin Mediterranean Café can be found on the San Diego County Health Department website or local news outlets.
