The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert about a Salmonella outbreak that may be associated with a chicken salad product sold from Costco Store #1190 in Lynwood, Washington. Four people have been sickened with the same strain of Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:-.
The salad is “Costco Rotisserie Chicken Salad,” sold in varying weights. It was made August 26, 2016 through September 2, 2016. It was sold directly to consumers who shopped at the Costco Store #1190 in Lynwood, Washington.
On September 26, 2016, the CDC notified FSIS of an investigation of Salmonella illnesses in the state of Washington. FSIS worked with the CDC and the Washington State Department of Health and determined that there is a “possible link” between rotisserie chicken salad from Costco’s Alderwood store in Lynwood and these illnesses.
The patient illness onset dates range from September 2 to September 6, 2016. Traceback investigation found that three of those patients ate rotisserie chicken salad purchased on August 26, August 31, and September 2, 2016 from that location. No product has tested positive for this strain of Salmonella. There is no word on whether any of the four patients have been hospitalized, or if they are still ill or have recovered.
Three of the patient clinical isolates associated with this investigation were found to be resistant only to tetracycline. The bacteria were susceptible to other antibiotics used to treat salmonellosis.
If you purchased a rotisserie chicken salad from the Costco’s Alderwood store in Lynwood, Washington in late August or early September and have experienced the symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning, see your doctor. Even if you recover without medical treatment, the long term complications of this illness can be serious, including reactive arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome.
The symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, chills, headache, muscle pains, severe abdominal cramps, and fever. These symptoms usually occur within 6 hours to three days after eating a product contaminated with the pathogenic bacteria. Most people recover within about a week, but some, especially the elderly, infants, and people with compromised immune systems, become so ill they must be hospitalized.
FSIS is concerned that some people may have purchased this product and froze it for long term storage. Throw this product away in a sealed container or take it back to the place of purchase for a refund.
Costco chicken salad was the center of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in 2015. In October and November of last year, at least 19 people in seven states were sickened. Costco recalled and removed all rotisserie chicken salad from all stores in the United States, despite traceback investigations failing to identify a food source for this outbreak.
