A Salmonella outbreak linked to pre-cut fruit including watermelon, cantaloupe, or fruit mixes has sickened at least 18 people in Washington and Oregon, according to the Washington Department of Health. The items were sold at QFC, Fred Meyer, Rosauers, and Central Market in both states. The products were sold on or about October 25, 2017 up to December 1, 2017.
The case count in this Salmonella outbreak by county is: King (5), Mason (1), Pierce (1), Snohomish (7), Thurston (1), and Yakima (1) counties and two individuals from Oregon. Lab tests have identified Salmonella Newport as the bacteria responsible for these illnesses.
The Washington Department of Health is working with state and federal health officials to try to find out where the fruit originated, where it was cut and packaged. There may be other retailers that carried the contaminated fruit. Unfortunately, Salmonella and produce are a common combination that causes illness.
Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has represented many clients sickened with Salmonella infections, said, “Even when you recover from this infection, there is still a risk you will develop a serious complication such as arthritis or high blood pressure in the future.” Call 1-888-377-8900.
If you bought pre-cut watermelon or cantaloupe, or any product containing those fruits – in Oregon or Washington state, you should throw it away. Or you can take it back to the store where you bought it for a refund.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea that may be bloody, vomiting, and fever. Most people get sick within 12 to 72 hours after eating food or drinking a beverage that is contaminated. And most people get better without medical treatment and few people visit doctors. That’s why the multiplier for Salmonella outbreaks is 29. Public health officials use this number to estimate the number sickened in any outbreak. There could be hundreds of people sickened in this outbreak.
Babies, the elderly, pregnant women, and anyone who has a chronic illness or compromised immune system could become seriously ill with a Salmonella infection. There is no word on whether or not anyone has been hospitalized in this outbreak. It’s important to see your doctor if you have a fever, have vomiting or diarrhea that lasts more than three days, or if you are dehydrated.
The noted and experienced attorneys at the law firm Pritzker Hageman represent and help those who have been sickened by contaminated food such as contaminated produce. We get answers, compensation for those who have been injured, and justice. Our lawyers represent people sickened with bacterial infections in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against producers, shippers, retailers, grocery stores, food processors, restaurants, daycare centers, schools, and others. Attorney Fred Pritzker and his team recently won $7.5 million for a client whose kidneys failed when he developed after an E. coli O157:H7 infection. Please know that class action lawsuits are not appropriate for outbreak victims because these cases are unique.
