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Health officials are investigating an E. coli outbreak that led to four hospitalizations in King County, Wash. and was linked to other reported illnesses
The outbreak has been linked to Tokyo Stop Teriyaki in Bellevue, Wash., where five patrons became ill
The investigation is ongoing, and officials have said that the source of the contamination could be outside of the restaurant
Health officials are investigating an E. coli outbreak in King County, Wash. that has been linked to four hospitalizations, plus other recorded infections.
Officials with the Seattle and King County public health department are "looking into" the outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which has been linked to restaurant Tokyo Stop Teriyaki, per aformthe department is asking customers who dined at the restaurant in November or December to complete.
Five people became sick after eating at the Bellevue, Wash. establishment, four of whom were hospitalized due to their illness, according toFox 13 SeattleandThe Seattle Times. While "most people in this outbreak" said they ate at Tokyo Stop Teriyaki prior to experiencing symptoms of E. coli infection, there have been other reported illnesses, health officials said.
"It is possible that there are multiple sources, or that the outbreak is due to a contaminated food product that was served at Tokyo Stop and elsewhere," county spokesperson Kate Cole said in a statement toThe Seattle Times.
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The King County public health department and Tokyo Stop Teriyaki did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.
King County ordered Tokyo Stop Teriyaki to close on Dec. 12, and reopened three days later after confirming that food safety procedures are being followed,The Seattle Timesreported.
During a visit on Dec. 13, health officials had discovered issues with sanitization of kitchenware used on raw meat, and raw meat and vegetables being washed too close together, perThe Seattle Times. (E. coli infection can occur due to contaminated raw produce and contact with raw beef, among other occurrences, according to the health department'swebsite.)
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But the source of the contamination could be elsewhere, health officials said, as there have been reported illnesses caused by a similar strain of E. coli, one in King County and two outside of Washington, perThe Seattle Times. The newspaper also reported that an official investigating the outbreak told Tokyo Stop Teriyaki's owner that they suspect the source was outside of the establishment.
Lana Johnson, an investigator with the public health department, said in a statement to theThe Seattle Timesthat "after further ill cases have been found (including out-of-state cases), we think that the contaminated product may be coming from the source/supplier."
The investigation is ongoing.
Potential symptoms of STEC infections include stomach cramps, fever and diarrhea, which "often becomes bloody," according to the Kings County health department. A small percentage — around 5% to 10% — of diagnosed cases can also develop a life-threatening complication known ashemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
"People with HUS should be hospitalized because their kidneys may stop working and they may develop other serious problems," health officials advise. "Most people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent damage or die."
Typically, non-HUS STEC infections resolve within five to seven days, though infected individuals can continue to spread bacteria to others after symptoms have resolved, according to health officials.
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