WAIRARAPA Bakery and Caf? on Queen Street, Masterton, re-opened yesterday after being closed for several days because of an outbreak of food poisoning.
The eatery became the focus of a public health inquiry after links between salmonella illness and the cafe were made on February 15.
Medical Officer of Health, Dr Annette
Nesdale, said the staff of Choice Health in Masterton and the cafe management are working together to find the cause of the salmonella outbreak.
In 10 days eight cases of salmonella had been notified in Wairarapa and of these six people had eaten at Wairarapa Bakery and Cafe during the incubation period.
The ill people had symptoms of diarrhoea and fever and some had stomach cramps.
Wairarapa Bakery and Cafe was closed while public health staff got an investigation under way.
Dr Nesdale said cafe staff had been fully co-operative and "now have very good policies and practices" in place.
"At this time of the year, with warmer weather and people having picnics and barbecues, it is timely to remind everyone about preparing food safely," she said.
Dr Nesdale said food, especially meat and chicken, needs to be cooked thoroughly, food should not be kept for longer than two hours in the "danger zone" of between 4C and 60C, and hands should be properly washed and dried.
Salmonella is caused by bacteria which lives in the gut of people, animals and birds.
Last year there were 1401 cases notified in New Zealand and usually Wairarapa has about 10-15 cases a year.
Dr Nesdale said this is probably an under-estimate of the true level of infection as not everyone develops symptoms. Also, some who experience the symptoms do not go to a doctor or have a faecal specimen taken to identify the bacteria
A person infected with salmonella is usually fully recovered within two weeks.
