Washington state Department of Health is investigating a salmonella outbreak that has sickened 13 people.
TNS
Kennewick, Wash.
The Washington state Department of Health is warning residents not to eat broccoli sprouts from Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, which are suspected in the salmonella illnesses of 13 people in the state.
The state does not have a complete distribution list for the product yet, but cases are spread across the state. They include one person in Walla Walla County, one in Yakima County and two in Spokane County.
Two people statewide have been hospitalized.
An additional three cases have been reported in Montana and Idaho. The sprouts were produced in Idaho.
The sprouts suspected in the outbreak were purchased from grocery stores and food co-ops in clamshells or plastic bags and eaten in restaurants, according to the Department of Health.
There is no recall on Evergreen Fresh Sprouts products, but businesses are advised by the state not to sell or serve the company’s broccoli sprouts.
Samples of Evergreen Fresh Sprouts and other suppliers are currently being tested at the Washington State Public Health Laboratory.
This outbreak appears unrelated to the recent multistate salmonella and E. coli outbreak traced to alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts in Minnesota, according to the Washington Department of Health.
People who purchased broccoli sprouts from Evergreen Fresh Sprouts are advised to throw them out or return them to where they were purchased.
The Washington state Department of Health is investigating broccoli sprouts after 13 residents of the state were sickened in a salmonella outbreak. Washington state Department of Health
Any surfaces that the sprouts may have touched should be washed using hot soapy water and any dishes or utensils they may have touched should be washed in a dishwasher, according to the Department of Health.
People with severe salmonella illness symptoms should get medical help right away. Severe symptoms include:
▪ Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F.
▪ Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving.
▪ Bloody diarrhea.
▪ So much vomiting that liquids cannot be kept down.
▪ Signs of dehydration, such as little urine, dry mouth and throat, or feeling dizzy when standing up.
Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection often spread by fecal contamination in food or water or through contact with animals or their environments.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, chills and abdominal cramping that usually lasts for several days. The infection can be spread from one person to another even after symptoms are gone.
Follow these steps to prevent salmonella infection:
▪ Wash hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom, changing diapers and touching animals and before eating or preparing food.
▪ Cool all meats thoroughly, especially poultry.
▪ Wash cutting boards and counters used for meat or poultry preparation immediately after use to avoid cross contaminating other foods.
