A mass food poisoning incident at the North Atlantic Fish Company (NAFCO) Wholesale Seafood Distributors in Jessup, Maryland, has left 46 people hospitalized after consuming the same dish. The incident occurred on Monday at around 3:45 p.m. when scores of people suddenly fell ill at the industrial site. Paramedics from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services quickly responded to the scene, and emergency teams from Anne Arundel County and Baltimore County were also mobilized to assist.

The cause of the food poisoning is still unknown, but experts say it’s likely due to consuming a meal contaminated with germs like salmonella or E.coli. Food poisoning can manifest within a few hours or days after eating, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, including diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever.

All affected victims were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, but fortunately, none were in critical condition. NAFCO has yet to comment on the incident, but photos on their website show employees following proper food handling and processing procedures.

This incident comes just months after a similar outbreak at ByteDance in Singapore left 60 workers sick. Microbiologists warn that climate change will increase the risk of foodborne illnesses due to humid temperatures allowing bacteria to thrive. Professor Jeri Barak notes, “Climate change will increase the risk of foodborne illness from consumption of raw produce.”

As the investigation continues, it’s essential to prioritize food safety and handling practices to prevent such incidents in the future.