ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. – Health officials have approved a Fairview Heights LongHorn Steakhouse to reopen after a spike in bacterial infections was linked to the restaurant.

According to the St. Clair County Health Department, the restaurant voluntarily closed on October 2 during an investigation that revealed a Shigellosis outbreak.

As of October 17, health officials report 26 people were positive with Shigella, and an additional 66 people reported illness consistent with Shigellosis after dining at the restaurant between September 19 and October 2.

A total of 12 people were hospitalized from the illness, and those affected by the outbreak were between the ages of 12 and 84.

According to health officials, Shigellosis symptoms usually start one to two days after infection and can last up to seven days. Officials said Shigella germs are found in feces, and anything that becomes contaminated through unproper washing of hands can spread the germ.

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The investigation continues to look into the cause of the Shigellosis outbreak at the restaurant and are monitoring additional reports of the illness.

Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know has dined at this Longhorn Steakhouse location between Sept. 21 through Oct. 2, click here to fill out a survey , regardless if there was an illness or not. This form is helping the St. Clair County Health Department investigate what caused the illness.

NOTE: The video above is from Oct. 2

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