Howard County Hospital issues ‘mini disaster warning’ after 46 people suffered food poisoning

JESSUP, Md. (7News) — Howard County Hospital was on a “mini-disaster alert” Monday after 46 people became ill with food poisoning at a seafood distributor, according to Howard County Fire and Emergency Medical Services officials.

Crews responded to the 7700 block of Chesapeake Bay Court in Jessup, Maryland at approximately 3:40 p.m. for reports of multiple sick people.

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Officials said EMS personnel evaluated 46 patients who were reported to have eaten the same food on the job.

All patients were taken to Howard County General Hospital in non-critical condition. Due to the large number of patients in the hospital, a “mini-disaster alert” was issued.

The Howard County Health Department is investigating the incident, which they believe was isolated.

Health officials shared the following statement:

On Tuesday, 7News learned the food poisoning was not caused by seafood at NAFCO. Instead, the company said in a statement that employees became ill after purchasing lunch food from an outside source.

NAFCO officials told 7News that three hours after eating the dish, workers started getting sick. The company has now changed its policy and will not allow any outside food to be brought onto the premises.