Man who ate at restaurant died from salmonella.

COLUMBIA — A 58-year-old man died from complications of food poisoning after he ate at a buffet-style restaurant in Camden last week, Kershaw County Coroner Johnny Fellers said Wednesday.

The death, as well as 176 cases of reported food poisoning, prompted officials to issue a statewide public health advisory for anyone who ate at the Old South Restaurant from last Thursday to Sunday.

James Arledge of Lugoff died early Sunday morning at his home after he received an infection in his blood stream from salmonella, Fellers said.

Arledge ate turkey and dressing, chicken, rice, peas, and apple cobbler at the buffet Thursday evening.

but DHEC spokesman Thom Berry said the agency is still trying to pinpoint the source of the salmonella.

As of Wednesday, 65 people had been seen at the Kershaw County Medical Center emergency room, and 25 patients had been admitted, hospital chief executive Donnie Weeks said. At least one person had been released Wednesday, Weeks said. DHEC reported seven other people had been hospitalized.

The first person was admitted last Friday morning. Most of the patients have received fluids intravenously and antibiotics and their conditions seem to be improving, Weeks said.

DHEC has received calls about possible food poisoning from areas as far away as Charleston and Rock Hill.

After receiving calls from the hospital Sunday, DHEC sent staff to the hospital and inspected the restaurant Monday. The restaurant received an “A,” the same grade it had been given after a previous inspection.

However, after news of the food poisoning, the restaurant voluntarily closed Tuesday. A message left there Wednesday was not immediately returned.

Waitress Naomi Geddes, speaking on behalf of the owners, told WIS-TV in Columbia on Monday, “I know for a fact they do keep their food fresh.”

The investigation into the outbreak is not that unusual, but deaths attributed to salmonella have been rare in South Carolina.