Dozens of Jennie-O workers sickened

WILLMAR - A number of Jennie-O Turkey Store employees in Willmar were hospitalized after a mass medical situation Friday evening.
Willmar police responded to a call at 7:23 p.m. Friday from the Jennie-O Turkey Store company’s facility at 1535 30th St. S.W. in Willmar. Employees reported that a possible chemical leak was making people sick, Willmar Police Sergeant Michael Jahnke said.
A total of 31 employees were exhibiting symptoms, like coughing and vomiting, Jahnke said. The Willmar Ambulance transported six employees to Rice Memorial Hospital as of 9 p.m. Friday, he said.
The rest of the sick employees were waiting to be transported to the hospital. Medical professionals were treating some employees in a bus outside of the plant.
Rice Hospital implemented an emergency plan and called in additional staff.
Hospital officials said later that 31 patients from Jennie-O had been triaged and transferred to the emergency department at Rice. All patients are stable they said, adding that the emergency staff are continuing to assess the patients.
Seven ambulances and a bus were dispatched to the scene, Rice officials said.
Local authorities had not found evidence of a chemical leak as of 9 p.m. and were continuing to search for the cause of the illness.
“We are working with local authorities and investigating the matter thoroughly,” Pat Solheid, vice president of human resources and administration at Jennie-O Turkey Store, said in a statement late Friday. “The fire department is conducting a review of the plant and, at this time, has not found anything unusual. The health and well-being of our employees is our top concern during this time. Our employees are being evaluated by local healthcare professionals this evening.”
Responding to the incident were Willmar Police, Willmar Ambulance and the Willmar Fire Department.