The Yakima Health District of Washington is investigating 10 cases of suspected or confirmed salmonella infection among individuals who reported eating food at a Fourth of July celebration hosted by Imperial’s Garden, located at 4817 Lateral A Road, Wapato, WA 98951.
This incident is not related to the operations of the Imperial’s Garden farm stand, and Imperial’s Garden is working closely with the Yakima Health District to determine the cause of the outbreak.
Individuals who attended the event and became ill are most likely to develop symptoms between July 5 and July 9.
Food workers who experience symptoms consistent with salmonella infection after attending the event should contact the Yakima Health District at 509-249-6532. Food workers with confirmed Salmonella infection require approval to return to work from the Yakima Health District per Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 246-215-02245.
Restaurant operators are reminded to monitor employees for symptoms of food poisoning and remove sick employees from food handling duties, per WAC 246-215-02220.
About Salmonella Infection
Food contaminated with salmonella typically does not look, smell or taste spoiled. Anyone can get sick from a salmonella infection. Infants, young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for serious illness because their immune systems are weaker.
Anyone attending the event and experiencing symptoms of salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Diagnosing salmonellosis requires special testing, so sick people should tell their doctor about possible exposure to salmonella. Salmonella infection symptoms can be similar to other illnesses and often lead to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise healthy adults usually become sick for 4 to 7 days. However, in some cases, diarrhea may be so severe that hospitalization may be necessary.
People with weakened immune systems, such as older adults, children, pregnant women, and cancer patients, are more likely to develop serious and sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people become infected without feeling sick or showing any symptoms. However, they can still spread the infection to other people.
