The city's public health department says it is investigating an outbreak of salmonella linked to an Ole Gourmet restaurant in Stoney Creek.

Four cases of salmonella have been confirmed after people ate food prepared by the restaurant at 174 Hamilton Regional Rd. 8, according to a news release from the city issued Friday evening.

Public health said the restaurant was inspected and closed May 17 after an initial report was received.

On May 18, the restaurant was allowed to reopen after a re-inspection found it was compliant with Ontario's Food Premises regulation, the release said.

An additional case of salmonella was reported May 22, which prompted public health inspectors to conduct another inspection.

At that time, inspectors collected 10 food samples, and three of them tested positive for contamination with salmonella, according to public health.

The restaurant was closed again Friday evening.

Salmonella is caused by bacteria and can be avoided by cooking food — especially meat, poultry and eggs — to a proper temperature, keeping raw and cooked food separate during preparation and storage and thoroughly washing hands.

Symptoms of salmonella include fever, chills, sudden headache, stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and sometimes vomiting.

The public health department says most people recover from salmonella without further complications, but they recommend people experiencing symptoms who ate food prepared at Ole Gourmet in Stoney Creek from May 4 onward to visit their family physician, a nurse practitioner or a walk-in clinic.

People experiencing symptoms should drink plenty of fluids and avoid preparing food for other people.

Those with questions about salmonella are asked to contact the city's public health services at 905-546-2063.