7 hospitalized after E. coli outbreak linked to Miguel’s Cocina in 4S Ranch

Seven people were hospitalized with E. coli infections in San Diego County after eating at Miguel’s Cocina in 4S Ranch, the county health officials said on Tuesday.

Those who fell ill, or their families, reported eating at Miguel’s 4S Ranch location from Oct. 6 to Oct. 18 and developed symptoms from Oct. 13 to Oct. 19, according to the county’s Health and Human Services Agency.

County health officials are still investigating the specific food items that were the source of the Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) at the restaurant. Miguel’s voluntarily closed its doors on Tuesday and has been working closely with the County to identify the outbreak.

“People who visited the restaurant and are feeling ill should see their doctor as soon as possible,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer.  

“We want them to get tested and have the results sent to the local health department. Those most at risk from infection are children, adults 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems,” Wooten said.

The county has reported an outbreak of 13 confirmed or probable cases of E. coli linked to the restaurant spanning across ages 6 to 87.

At least one of those cases has developed into the more severe complication of the infection called hemolytic uremic syndrome.   

Brigantine Restaurants is the parent company of Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch. Group President of The Brigantine, Mike Morton Jr., released a statement on Tuesday regarding the E. coli outbreaks.

“At this time, no link has been made to the other 20 facilities operated by The Brigantine Restaurants around San Diego County,” Morton Jr. said.

Miguel’s 4S Ranch has been deep cleaning its entire facility and disposing of all ingredients at the location that could be known to harbor E. coli.

Dr. Richard Moon with Kaiser Permanente said many people may not realized they have contracted E. coli, but it can be very bad in a specific group of people.

“A small portion — especially the very young, the very old or those with chronic medical conditions — are at risk of developing more severe symptoms like fever, nausea and vomiting that you can’t keep up with fluid intake or decreased urine production and confusion and lethargy,” Moon said.

As for the many San Diegans looking to enjoy Miguel’s or any other restaurant run by the Brigantine Restaurants in the near future, its CEO said in statement: “At this time, no link has been made to the other 20 facilities operated by the Brigantine restaurants around San Diego County.”

E. Coli (STEC) Symptoms

People infected with STEC start feeling ill three to four days after eating or drinking something containing the bacteria. Illnesses can begin anywhere from 1 to 10 days after exposure, the HHSA says.

The HHSA says symptoms vary from person-to-person but often include:

• Severe abdominal cramping 
• Watery or bloody diarrhea (3 or more loose stools in a 24-hour period)  
• Vomiting

Symptoms can occur with or without a fever, although not usually very high (less than 101˚F/38.5˚C). People usually get better within 5 to 7 days. Some infections are mild but others are tough and even life-threatening, according to the HHSA.

If you have these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately, the HHSA says. This is especially true if you have diarrhea that lasts for more than three days or diarrhea, accompanied by a fever higher than 102˚F or bloody stools, or vomiting so much that you cannot keep liquids down and pass very little urine, the HHSA says.

This is a developing story. NBC 7 will continue to update this page as more information arrives.