Twenty-five Washington residents are among 838 people who have been sickened in 38 states with Salmonella bacteria linked to cucumbers from Mexico, shipped by a California distributor. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website has updated recall and consumer advice in the ongoing investigation. CDC is tracking 838 salmonellosis cases and four deaths (one death each in CA, AZ, OK, and TX) caused by the strain of bacteria known as Salmonella Poona.

The Washington Department of Health reports the growth of cases has slowed, adding one case recently for a total of 25. The state residents sickened in the outbreak are from Clark (4 cases), King (5); Kitsap (2); Pierce (5); Snohomish (4); Spokane (2); Thurston (1); Walla Walla (1); and Yakima (1). One of the state’s cases was reported to have been hospitalized. State health officials are working with federal and local partners on the disease investigation.

The California Department of Public Health has identified the commercial produce supplier that shipped the products as Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce. The San Diego firm has issued a recall. Consumers, retailers, and food establishments are advised not to eat, sell, or serve these products. If the source of cucumbers is in doubt, discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

Salmonellosis is the illness caused by infection with Salmonella bacteria. Proper food preparation, handling, and cooking are the keys to preventing many foodborne illnesses, including salmonellosis. There are 600 to 800 cases of salmonellosis reported in Washington annually.

Salmonella: Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Salmonella outbreaks. The Salmonella lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $600 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our Salmonella lawyers have litigated Salmonella cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of foods, such as cantaloupe, tomatoes, ground turkey, salami, sprouts, cereal, peanut butter, and food served in restaurants. The law firm has brought Salmonella lawsuits against such companies as Cargill, ConAgra, Peanut Corporation of America, Sheetz, Taco Bell, Subway and Wal-Mart.

If you or a family member became ill with a Salmonella infection, including Reactive Arthritis or Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark Salmonella attorneys for a free case evaluation.