Nationwide salmonella outbreak hits Washington, including Pierce County
The Washington State Department of Health has detected cases of salmonella across the state, including in Pierce County, according to a Friday afternoon news release from the department.
The news localizes a Thursday CDC announcement about a national salmonella outbreak linked to live poultry like ducks and chickens. According to the CDC website, 219 cases of salmonella have been detected nationally so far.
Eleven cases have been detected in Washington so far, according to the state’s press release. The release says that every person involved with the outbreak had recently purchased either a duckling or a chick. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department content manager Kenny Via told The News Tribune that his department does not know how many of those cases are residents in Pierce County.
Live poultry is a common source of salmonella transmission. The disease can spread to people who do not immediately wash their hands after touching these common backyard birds. Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.
According to the CDC, there has been one reported death from the outbreak so far. While the CDC website states that “most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days,” its also notes that young children, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems can experience more severe reactions that require hospitalization.
Katie Pope, the state health department’s media relations and external communication officer, told The News Tribune that any Washington resident who notices signs or symptoms of salmonella in themselves or someone else should get in contact with a health care practitioner. She said that while it is not necessary to be alarmed about the outbreak, it is always important for people to wash their hands thoroughly after touching live birds.
This story was originally published June 11, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Nationwide salmonella outbreak hits Washington, including Pierce County."