CDC is investigating salmonella outbreak in Utah and five other states linked to Papa Murphy’s cookie dough
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, California and Missouri have fallen ill. Two people were hospitalized.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Papa Murphy’s alerts customers to store count, March 24, 2020 in Ogden.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with state and federal agencies, are investigating reports of 18 salmonella infections in at least half a dozen states that may have been traced to raw cookie dough sold at Papa Murphy’s.
The CDC announced on Tuesday that people in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, California and Missouri were ill. Illnesses were reported from February 27th to May 2nd.
Interviews with sick people show raw cookie dough sold at Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake pizza shops may be contaminated. According to the CDC, people reported eating the cookie dough raw.
Six people in Washington, four in Idaho and four in Oregon have fallen ill, according to the CDC’s website. Utah says two people are sick there. California and Missouri have each reported one sick person linked to the outbreak.
Two people were taken to hospital but their whereabouts were unclear. No deaths were reported.
The number of people infected is likely higher than the reported number and the outbreak could spread to other states, CDC officials said.
The Vancouver, Wash.-based take-and-bake pizza company has temporarily halted sales of its raw chocolate chip cookie dough and s’more bar dough. Although an image of desserts, including cookies and s’more bars, was featured on its website on Tuesday, those items were unavailable to order.
People who have the dough at home should throw it out, and items and surfaces that may have come in contact with the dough should be washed in the dishwasher or with hot, soapy water, according to the CDC.
Investigators are working to identify the contaminated ingredient in the raw cookie dough.
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps six hours to six days after exposure to the bacteria. According to the CDC, the illness typically lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment.
Children under the age of 5, adults over the age of 65 and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illnesses.
