Poisonous aconite suspected after dozen fall ill following restaurant meals

Poisonous aconite suspected after dozen fall ill following restaurant meals (msn.com)

Poisonous aconite suspected after dozen fall ill following restaurant meals

 

Toronto Sun

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Poisonous aconite suspected after dozen fall ill following restaurant meals

Scott Laurie - 53m ago

 

Patrons arrive on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, to find the doors of Delight Restaurant and BBQ at Markham Rd. and Castlemore Ave. were shut closed. A sign posted by the York Region Public Health cited it was closed after close to a dozen people became seriously ill after allegedly eating there over the weekend.© Provided by Toronto Sun

 

 

A Markham restaurant allegedly tied to 12 people becoming sick remains closed as an investigation continues by York Region Public Health into what caused their illnesses and hospitalizations.

A handful of people were surprised to find Delight Restaurant and BBQ — near Markham Rd. and Major Mackenzie Dr. E — closed Tuesday during the lunch hour.

“We were surprised,” said Helen Young, who was walking past the restaurant with her husband.

A red sign that said “closed” was placed in the window beside the main door by officials from York Region Public Health.

“Oh, that’s shocking, absolutely shocking,” said Don Young.

“It’s very, very unusual. Never heard that this could happen.”

 

Patrons arrive on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, to find the doors of Delight Restaurant and BBQ at Markham Rd. and Castlemore Ave. were shut closed. A sign posted by the York Region Public Health cited it was closed after close to a dozen people became seriously ill after allegedly eating there over the weekend. JACK BOLAND/TORONTO SUN

 

York Region confirmed its investigation continues after 12 people fell ill.

 

 

“Most of these individuals have recovered and are no longer in hospital,” said York Region medical officer Dr. Barry Pakes in a statement. “Several remain severely ill in hospital, but their condition is improving.”

Public Health is awaiting lab results — expected by the end of the week — to see if aconite could be the source of the poisonings.

“Aconite is derived from plants and plant roots that contain toxic alkaloids and can cause severe illness; aconite-containing plants is used in herbal medicine when prepared in a particular way that removes toxins,” Pakes said.

• Investigation into possible mass poisoning at Markham restaurant

The restaurant is co-operating with the investigation.

Anyone who ate any food from Delight Restaurant and BBQ on Saturday or Sunday and is feeling unwell is asked to seek medical attention.

Health officials are also advising people who ordered takeout and delivery to discard leftovers.

After they peered through the window of the closed restaurant, the Youngs told the Sun they had heard of aconite and knew of its danger.

 

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“It looks similar to ginger powder, but it’s not. It’s poisonous,” said Helen, who added she last ate at the restaurant about four weeks ago.

“The food was good and they were busy. A lot of people, actually.”

Her husband said, “This is the first time that we heard that this kind of thing could happen.”

Attempts to contact the owners of the eatery went unanswered.

Helen Young suggested new owners took over in the last three or four months.

“I would come back,” she said. “I would — once they settle everything.”