The Department of Health is currently investigating 56 cases of salmonella food poisoning found within eight counties across the Washington state.
"Disease investigators continue to explore several sources from farm to table, and a focused on an apparent link to pork consumption or contamination from raw pork," The Washington Department of Health said.
It continued to warn consumers of the symptoms: "Salmonellosis, the illness cause by infection with Salmonella, can cause severe and even bloody diarrhea, fever, chills, abdominal discomfort, and vomiting. Serious bloodstream infections may also occur."
On Thursday, health officials said that the salmonella is a rare strain (Salmonella I, 4, 5, 12:i: -) and linked to consuming pork. Not only that, but 44 out of the 56 individuals infected with salmonella are in King County.
The Washington State Department of Health also states: "As of July 23, the 56 cases include resident of King (44), Snohomish (4), Mason (2), Thurston (2), Pierce (1), Grays Harbor (1), Yakima (1), and Clark (1) counties."
It added, "Five of the cases were hospitalized; no deaths have been reported. All were infected with the same strain of Salmonella bacteria. The disease investigation shows a potential exposure source for several cases was whole roasted pigs, cooked and served at private events. The source of contamination remains under investigation by state and local health officials and federal partners."
But health officials also claim that other sources of meat could possibly be the reason for salmonella as well. But some of the cases seem to be due to roasted whole pigs.
State epidemiologist Dr. Scott Lindquist says, "Why we're sending out this message now before the investigation is complete is because we're saying: 'You've got to be really careful with raw meat.'"
It also seems as though the salmonella bacteria is immune to antibiotics typically used for infection treatments. This poses a great hazard especially to young children, the elderly, and individuals suffering from low immune systems.
