FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- Health officials are worried cases from a salmonella outbreak traced to a Fayetteville hotel may spread nationwide.

Already, 51 people who ate since May 1 at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux's banquet facilities along with its cafe and sports bar have been sickened with five of them becoming ill enough to be hospitalized, health officials said.

The hotel is along Interstate 95, meaning victims of the illness could be anywhere, State Health Director Laura Gerald told The Fayetteville Observer (http://bit.ly/12jGIou ).

"Because this facility is along a major interstate, we are broadening our notification to try to reach anyone who may be affected by the outbreak," Gerald said.

Investigators have not determined which food was contaminated. The bacteria also could spread through cross contamination of glassware, silverware or other foods, said Buck Wilson, director of the Cumberland County Department of Public Health.

"It requires an extensive investigation," Wilson said. "It's possible that you never narrow it down to a specific source."

The county health department has sent workers to the hotel every day since the initial report came in to make sure restaurant staff are taking precautions to make sure there are no more outbreaks. The staff at the hotel also has taken extra food safety classes, Wilson said.

The salmonella bacteria caused nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and symptoms begin within a day to three days of infection.

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Information from: The Fayetteville Observer, http://www.fayobserver.com