A local McDonald’s has had an extended Thanksgiving break due to its link to salmonella.

Owners of the McDonald’s located at 2410 S. Main St. in Bloomington voluntarily kept their restaurant closed post-Thanksgiving after being contacted by the McLean County Health Department as a part of an ongoing salmonella investigation.

The Health Department has been investigating cases involving the Salmonella Stanley strand of salmonella since mid-October. Last week they received a confirmed link between a case and the South Main McDonald’s.

Kera Simmons, public health communication specialist for the McLean County Health Department, said currently the salmonella is not linked to any certain food.

“The most likely spread of the illness is through human transmission — that involves sick people with salmonella in their bodies spreading the strand,” Simmons said.

The McDonald’s is not the only suspected link, Simmons said. There are local cases that have the Salmonella Stanley strand that do not report eating at the McDonald’s.

Symptoms of salmonella include fever, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. The Salmonella Stanley strand can cause bloody diarrhea.

According to the health department, those most vulnerable include elderly, infants and individuals with compromised immune systems.

The best way to keep oneself safe from any infections circulating through the community is by thoroughly washing hands and keep surfaces sanitized, Simmons said.

She also stressed the importance of any students who work in food services to keep their hands clean to prevent any harmful spread.

Currently, the Health Department is waiting on lab results. Once the cultures come back — after a 24 to 72 hour wait — the Health Department will proceed with its investigation. The results will then be identified to confirm that it is the Salmonella Stanley strand, Simmons said.

It is unclear when the South Main McDonald’s will re-open, however once employees and managers are confirmed to be salmonella free they will be approved to return to work.