E. coli outbreak linked to Lake Stevens restaurant
Photo: Janice Haney Carr/CDC
Health officials investigating the E. coli outbreak in Snohomish County, north of Seattle, say “the likely exposure site Ixtapa restaurant, 303 – 91st Ave. NE, #B201, in the city of Lake Stevens (east of Everett, central Snohomish County).”
“On hearing the investigators’ findings, the restaurant owner voluntarily closed the Lake Stevens today at 12:30 p.m. and pledged to cooperate with Snohomish Health District to resolve potential food safety issues,” Snohomish Health District officials said in a statement released today.
E. coli is a bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. Some strains, however, can cause illness. One E. coli strain, for example, is a common cause of traveler’s diarrhea.
But another, more dangerous strain—E. coli O157:H7—can cause bloody diarrhea, kidney failure and death. Children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to these complications.
E. coli can be spread by eating contaminated food or swimming in contaminated water. Outbreaks have also been linked to daycare centers and petting zoos.
To avoid infection, health officials recommend cooking meat well, washing fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking them, avoiding unpasteurized milk and juices, and hand washing whenever there has been contact with human or animal feces.
Here is the statement from the Snohomish Health District on the investigation:
13 of SnoCo’s E. coli cases linked to Lake Stevens restaurant
Investigation continues; 17 cases total; reports tapering off
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – The public health investigation team for Snohomish Health District today narrowed down the likely source of E. coli illness in 13 of 17 Snohomish County residents. Extensive interviews of the sick people and comparison of their information indicated the likely exposure site was Ixtapa restaurant, 303 – 91st Ave. NE, #B201, in the city of Lake Stevens (east of Everett, central Snohomish County). One case remains uninterviewed; three of the ill did not eat at the restaurant.
On hearing the investigators’ findings, the restaurant owner voluntarily closed the Lake Stevens today at 12:30 p.m. and pledged to cooperate with Snohomish Health District to resolve potential food safety issues. Public health staff will direct and oversee the sanitizing of the restaurant, disposal of opened food products, and resupply by licensed product vendors.
Interviewers refocused their questions to review menu items consumed by ill and healthy patrons in an effort to identify a specific food that caused the illness.
The cases began to emerge last week. Two persons were hospitalized briefly, but both now are recovering at home. No new cases are reported as of noon today. The onset of illness occurred between Oct. 7 and Oct. 17; consumption of meals at the restaurant occurred between Oct. 2 and Oct. 13. The ill connected to the restaurant range in age between 9 and 75 years.
Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Goldbaum, director of Snohomish Health District, alerted Snohomish County health care providers on Oct. 17 to be on the watch for patients who showed symptoms of E. coli illness, and to request that they take specimens for lab testing.
Outbreaks historically have been associated with undercooked hamburger, raw milk consumption, lake swimming, petting zoos, and day care centers. In Snohomish County, the average number of E. coli cases ranges between 16 and 20 per year.
Symptoms include bloody diarrhea and stomach cramping with little or no fever. People who experience these symptoms should contact their health care provider. Some people could develop a more serious condition that could cause kidney failure or even death. Young children and the elderly are at increased risk of these complications.
To reduce the risk of E. coli infection:
- Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water after using the bathroom or changing diapers. Make sure children also wash their hands well.
- Wash hands well before and after preparing food, especially after handling raw meat.
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling animals or pets and their waste.
- Cook all meat, especially ground beef, thoroughly. Cook ground beef to 155 degrees. Make certain that cooked meat is gray or brown (not pink).
- Clean all utensils and surfaces after contact with raw meat.
- Use only pasteurized milk and milk products.
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
- Keep infected children away from other children and the elderly.
- Do not drink untreated water.
To learn more:
- Visit the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention’s webpage on E. coli: http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli
- Visit CDC’s page on Healthy Pets that has information about animal exposure to E. coli: http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/ecoli.htm
- Visit the information page on E. coli O:157 on the Public Health – Seattle & King County website where they have information in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Somalian and Vietnamese
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