State health officials say one person has died in connection with a salmonella outbreak at a North Carolina barbecue restaurant.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced the death on its website, but provided no additional details.
According to the department, 248 cases of the diarrheal illness were associated with eating food from Tarheel Q, the Lexington restaurant where the outbreak originated. The cases include people from 19 North Carolina counties and five states. Officials say 6 percent of those people stricken were hospitalized.
In addition, Tarheel Q is the target of at least seven lawsuits. Owner Trey Payne wouldn't comment on the lawsuits.
The restaurant reopened Wednesday after voluntarily closing its doors last week.
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