Restaurant in Iraq's Anbar closed after 41 food poisoning cases

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A restaurant in the Karame district of Anbar province has been shut down after 41 people suffered food poisoning, local health authorities said. The closure, imposed on June 28, was announced publicly on Monday by the Health Inspection Branch of the Karame Health Center's Primary Health Care Services Sector. All affected individuals, who had eaten at the restaurant, were taken to Karame Emergency Hospital and placed under treatment. Dentist Bekir Sebhan, an official at the Health Inspection Branch, said the cases were mild to moderate, with no fatalities or serious injuries reported. The patients were discharged in good health after receiving treatment. Sebhan said the closure order will remain in place until final laboratory results are released. The Health Inspection Branch added that legal action will be pursued against the restaurant if any deficiencies or negligence related to safety and public health standards are identified.