Washington Salmonella Outbreak: Snohomish, King Counties Hit Hard

EDMONDS, WA - A multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to pre-cut fruit has hit King and Snohomish counties hardest, according to the state Department of Health. There have been 18 confirmed cases in Washington in total since Oct. 25.

Seven cases have been confirmed in Snohomish County, and five in King County. Pierce, Mason, Thurston, and Yakima counties have had one confirmed case each.

State health officials have traced the outbreak back to pre-cut watermelon, cantaloupe, and fruit mixes containing those fruits. The fruit and fruit mixes were sold at QFC, Fred Meyer, Rosauers, and Central Market stores in Washington and Oregon.

State officials believe salmonella Newport is the strain causing the illnesses. Salmonella Newport causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Newport was implicated in 2010 a multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to raw alfalfa sprouts.

Health officials are still trying to find the source of the fruit and whether it might have been sold at other grocery stores.

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