A norovirus outbreak At Sammimish Cafe & Spirits in Sammamish, Washington has sickened at least six people, according to the King County Health Department. The meal dates were July 2, 2024 to July 3, 2024, and the illness onset dates were July 4, 2024 to July 6, 2024. Three of the six people underwent testing; two tested positive for norovirus. An investigation conducted by public health officials found multiple sick restaurant staff who reported symptoms that were consistent with norovirus. This outbreak appears to be over. Norovirus can be spread several ways: through eating contaminated food, through contact with contaminated surfaces, and person to person. In fact, one additional person who live in the same home as a patient developed symptoms but did not eat food or … [Read more...]
Gibson Farms Walnuts E. coli Outbreak Ends With 13 Sick
The Gibson Farms walnuts E. coli outbreak has ended with 13 people sick in two states, according to the FDA. The case count is: California (7) and Washington (6). Seven people were hospitalized because they were so sick. And two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure, according to an earlier update. The last illness onset date was April 4, 2024. The recalled product is Gibson Farms bulk organic walnuts. They were sold at natural food and co-op stores in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The walnuts may have had the lot codes 3325-043 and 3341-501. The walnuts should no longer for sale. They … [Read more...]
Do Not Eat Certain Shellfish From OR and WA Because of PSP
The FDA says consumers should not eat certain shellfish harvested from Oregon and Washington waters because they may be contaminated with paralytic shellfish poison (PSP). Restaurants and retailers should not sell these products. Retailers and restaurants in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New York, Oregon, and Washington may have purchased oysters and bay clams from growing areas in Netarts Bay and Tillamook bay, Oregon harvested on or after May 28, 2024. All shellfish from growing areas in Willapa Bay, Washington Stony Point, harvested between May 26, 2024 and May 30, 2024;5/26/24; from Bay Center, harvested between May 29, 2024 and May 30, 2024; and Bruceport, harvested between May 29, 2024 and May 30, 2024 are included. Consumers in Arizona, California, … [Read more...]
Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) Found Along Washington’s Coast
Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) has been found in recreationally harvested shellfish along Washington's Pacific coast, according to the Washington State Department of Health. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with these shellfish. All recreational shellfish harvesting is prohibited in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay due to "extreme PSP risk." This is part of a broader PSP occurrence along the Oregon coast, where several recreational mussel harvesters were sickened over the Memorial Day weekend. There are no reports of illness associated with shellfish harvested in Washington state. All commercial shellfish harvesting is closed in Willapa Bay too, because of elevated marine biotoxin levels. All species of shellfish are included. Some species of shellfish … [Read more...]
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Sickens 20 From Mussels in OR
Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) has sickened at least 20 people after eating mussels harvested between the Washington border and Seal Rock State Park, according to the Oregon Health Authority. Anyone who harvested mussels from Short Beach near Oceanside, Hug Point, and near Seaside should immediately discard them. Only recreationally harvested mussels are problematic. This warning does not apply to mussels that were harvested commercially and purchased at a grocery store or a restaurant. PSP is caused by saxitoxins that are produced by marine algae. People get sick by eating shellfish contaminated with this naturally occurring biotoxin. Shellfish that can be contaminated with this toxin include scallops, clams, mussels, cockles, and oysters, along with some types of fish and … [Read more...]
Illnesses Associated with Coho Cafe in Issaquah, Washington
Illnesses associated with Coho Cafe in Issaquah, Washington have been reported by the King County Department of Health. At least six people were sickened. there were no hospitalizations. That restaurant is located at 6130 East Lake Sammamish Parkway SE A in Issaquah. The meal date range is from March 11, 2024 to April 5, 2024. The illness onset date range is from March 12, 204 to April 6, 2024. The current inspection rating for the restaurant is good. Public Health started an outbreak investigation into illnesses associated with Coho Cafe and did not find a specific food or drink item that may have caused the illnesses. This outbreak appears to be over. Everyone who was sickened developed symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness, including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and … [Read more...]
Long History of Nut and Nut Product Outbreaks
In the wake of the current E. coli outbreak linked to organic walnuts, there is a long history of nut and nut product outbreaks. Nuts are an agricultural product, and just like leafy greens, herbs, and berries, can be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. And nuts, like other types of produce, are often eaten without a consumer "kill step," in other words, cooking. History of Nut and Nut Product Outbreaks The current E. coli O157 outbreak allegedly linked to Gibson Farms organic walnuts and walnut pieces has sickened at least 12 people in two states, California and Washington. Seven of those patients have been hospitalized, and two people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The walnuts have been recalled. In 2022, a Salmonella Senftenberg … [Read more...]
FDA on Gibson Farms Walnuts E. coli O157 Outbreak
The FDA has weighed in on the Gibson Farms walnuts E. coli O157 outbreak that has allegedly sickened at least 12 people in two states: California and Washington. Seven of those 12 patients have been hospitalized, and two of them have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The recalled organic walnut halves and pieces were sold at natural food and co-op stores in these states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The walnuts were sold in bulk, but some stores may have repackaged the nuts into bags or plastic clamshell containers. A list of the store names and locations where the walnuts may have been sold is … [Read more...]
Gibson Farms Organic Walnuts Recalled For Possible E. coli O157
Gibson Farms organic walnuts sold in bulk are being voluntarily recalled for possible E. coli O157 contamination. There is an outbreak allegedly linked to bulk organic walnuts that has sickened at least 12 people in two states (California and Washington). Seven of those patients have been hospitalized, and two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. Traceback conducted by the FDA found that Gibson Farms supplied the bulk walnuts to stores where some patients shopped. The Gibson Farms organic walnuts were sold shelled, as "Light Halves and Pieces." They were packaged in bulk boxes in net weight 25 pound quantities. The lot numbers for these walnuts are 3325-043 and 3341-501, and the expiration dates are 5/21/25 and 6/7/25. The company voluntarily … [Read more...]
Organic Bulk Walnuts E. coli Outbreak Sickens 12 in 2 States
An organic bulk walnuts E. coli O157 outbreak has sickened at least 12 people in two states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seven of those patients have been hospitalized. Two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The patient case count by state is: Washington (6), and California (6). Illness onset dates range from February 1, 2024 to April 4, 2024. The patient age range is from six to 84 years. State and local pubic health officials interviewed patients about the foods they ate before they got sick. Of the 10 interviewed, all said they ate walnuts. That percentage is significantly higher than the 26% of respondents who said they ate walnuts in the FoodNet Population Survey during the same time frame. And all … [Read more...]
