Dozens of Tennessee Walmart employees hospitalized for ‘possible’ food illness

Emergency crews evaluated up to 30 workers experiencing sudden nausea and vomiting during an overnight shift

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Nineteen workers at a Walmart Distribution Center in Lebanon, Tennessee, were reportedly transported to area hospitals following a suspected foodborne illness outbreak late last week.

Emergency crews were first dispatched to the distribution center late Thursday night after receiving a report of “a female experiencing symptoms of a possible food-related illness,” as reported by ABC affiliate WKRN, citing the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency.

“Upon arrival, additional units were requested to assist,” the agency said in a statement shared Sunday. “Approximately 25 to 30 patients were triaged on scene, with 19 patients transported.”

“The health and safety of our associates is a top priority,” Walmart said in a statement to WKRN on Sunday. “We’re working with local emergency management and health officials as they investigate.”

Public health officials have not yet confirmed the source responsible for the outbreak. It remains unclear whether those affected consumed food from an on-site cafeteria, a catered event or personal meals brought into the plant. Neither the Wilson County Health Department nor the Tennessee Department of Health had issued formal public statements as of Sunday evening.

The firm noted that confirming a source would require stool testing, dietary history interviews and laboratory testing of food samples, and advised any affected workers to seek medical care and notify local health officials.