Thanksgiving Dinner

Three people died and five others were sickened after eating at a Thanksgiving dinner sponsored by a church in Antioch, Calif., reports say.

(Associated Press file photo)

ANTIOCH, California -- Officials are investigating after three people died and five others became seriously ill after eating at a community Thanksgiving dinner last week, reports say.

Golden Hills Community Church sponsored the event Thursday at an American Legion Hall in Antioch, the Los Angeles Times reports. It was open to the public, including homeless people and residents of adult care facilities.

The eight people affected were elderly and all lived in the same residential facility, Dr. Louise McNitt, director of infectious diseases for the Contra Costa County Health Department, tells the Times.

Patients began arriving at Sutter Delta Medical Center on Friday evening and Saturday morning, according to the San Jose Mercury News. One person remained hospitalized Monday.

Officials with the health department are trying to confirm the illnesses are linked to food served at the dinner, the Mercury News reports.

"They could have gotten sick from the food they prepared at their living facility," Marilyn Underwood, director of environmental health for Contra Costa County Health Services, tells the Times. "At this point, we have no reason to conclude it was the food at the event."

An estimated 835 people attended the dinner, which featured a traditional menu that included items such as turkey, potatoes and green beans, the Times reports. Officials do not believe there is a threat to the general public, reports say.