A case of deliberate contamination has sparked outrage in the United States. A customer claims to have contracted the herpes virus (HSV-1) after an employee at an Arby's restaurant deliberately spat in her food.

The incident occurred in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Jennica Church, a local bartender, stopped late at night at the drive-thru of an Arby's restaurant after her shift. Noticing that her order was taking a long time, she simply assumed the staff were annoyed by the late hour, close to closing time.

She was far from imagining the nightmare that awaited her.

Following revelations from an internal whistleblower—another restaurant employee—the police opened an investigation and reviewed CCTV footage. The videos clearly show the manager at the time, Amanda Hendricks, handling the meat before lowering her head and deliberately spitting into the customer's sandwich.

Shortly after eating her meal, Jennica Church developed alarming symptoms. Medical tests confirmed that she had contracted the HSV-1 virus, commonly known as herpes.

"I used to love Arby's — not anymore," she bitterly told the American media.

Beyond the illness itself, the young woman's entire life and that of her family has been turned upside down. Her mother-in-law, Patricia Dollarhite, expressed her anger at the psychological trauma suffered by their loved ones, terrified at the thought of having been exposed to the virus by sharing a meal.

"My son wanted a kiss from his mother and he couldn't get one. I see the impact this has on my grandchildren, my son and my husband," she said.

Given the seriousness of the situation, the authorities reacted swiftly. Amanda Hendricks was immediately dismissed and is now facing criminal charges for criminal poisoning with intent to harm.

Meanwhile, Jennica Church and her family have launched a major civil lawsuit. They are seeking damages from the former manager, as well as from Arby's parent company and its affiliated entities for gross negligence.