Three Whatcom County residents contracted Salmonella linked to broccoli sprouts from Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, part of a 13-case Washington outbreak. (Photo: Washington Dept. of Health)
WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Three Whatcom County residents have contracted Salmonella in an outbreak linked to broccoli sprouts from an Idaho company, health officials said.
The outbreak involves Salmonella Bovismorbificans and has sickened 13 people in Washington as of Sept. 2. Montana and Idaho have each reported one additional case, while Montana has reported a second case.
Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC, produces the sprouts in Idaho. The company distributed its sprouts to grocery stores and restaurants in Whatcom County, but health officials do not yet have a complete list of local locations that sold or served them.
Health officials urge anyone who has the sprouts to throw them away.
Eight Washington patients reported eating the sprouts
Washington health officials have interviewed 12 of the 13 patients. Eight said they ate sprouts from Evergreen Fresh Sprouts.
Seven patients specifically reported eating broccoli sprouts. Investigators do not know which variety the eighth patient ate.
Patients reported purchasing or eating the sprouts at grocery stores, food co-ops and restaurants in Washington.
The illnesses began between July 7 and Aug. 18. Two Washington patients have required hospitalization.
Investigators continue to test sprouts from Evergreen Fresh Sprouts and other suppliers at the Washington State Public Health Laboratory.
Health officials in Washington and Montana continue to investigate the outbreak and work to determine how the contamination occurred.
Whatcom County asks residents to report illnesses
Whatcom County Health and Community Services asks anyone who thinks the sprouts made them sick to report the illness.
Residents can call 360-778-6000 or submit a report through the county’s Foodborne Illness Notification System.
Anyone who has received a positive Salmonella test should call the county nurse on duty at 360-778-6089.
Anyone who still has the sprouts should throw them away and should not eat them.
Health officials say this outbreak has no connection to the recent multistate Salmonella and E. coli outbreak involving alfalfa sprouts from Everything Sprouts, LLC in Minnesota.
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