ANTIOCH, Calif. _ The deadly foodborne illness that sickened 22 and killed three at a Thanksgiving meal in Antioch has been identified as clostridium perfringens, a common bacteria associated with undercooked meats that are left to sit for a long time.
"Clostridium perfringens is one of the most common foodborne illnesses in the United States," said Dr. Louise McNitt, deputy health officer for Contra Costa Health Services. "It can be found in the human intestine without hurting us, but eating food containing large amounts of this bacteria can cause illness and in some cases death."
The bacteria was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after tests were taken from people sickened by food served at a Nov. 24 Thanksgiving meal put on by the Golden Hills Community Church at the American Legion Hall in Antioch.
CCHS was not able to identify what dish the bacteria came from, but pointed to the turkey and mashed potatoes and that all sickened individuals ate around the same time.
Officials from Golden Hills Community Church stated that many dishes were cooked at home, including the turkey, and were brought to the event. Organizers at the event said that there was another group that was passing out dinners at the meal in Antioch, but would not identify which group that was.
The three people who died came to the event from two assisted-living facilities, Minerva's Place and Minerva's Place IV, according to a spokesman for the Department of Social Services.
Christopher Cappetti, 43, Chooi Keng Cheah, 59, and Jane Evans, 69, were the three victims identified by the county sheriff's office.
County health officials fluctuated on whether a permit should have been required for the event, eventually saying that any event that serves food to the general public needs to be permitted.
Officials also stated that it is the responsibility of the organizer to apply for a permit and submit to an inspection for the event and that they were never contacted by the church for such a permit. The church has been hosting a community Thanksgiving dinner for the past three decades.
Such a permit would subject its serving facilities to a county health inspection and require that no food be served that was prepared in private homes or from unlicensed facilities.
