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Salmonella outbreak associated with IHOP in Bellevue
| AT-A-GLANCE | |
|---|---|
| Cases | 6 |
| Hospitalizations | 2 |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Status | Investigation is ongoing |
| Location | IHOP 14747 NE 20th St, Bellevue, WA 98007 |
| Illness Onset Date Range | October 23, 2023 - June 13, 2024 |
| Meal Date Range | October 16, 2023 - June 8, 2024 |
| Current Inspection Rating | NEEDS TO IMPROVE |
Highlights, updated June 28, 2024
- After being notified of three people who became sick after eating at the IHOP in Bellevue in October and November 2023, Public Health investigators requested source information and food receipts from the restaurant on January 11, 2024. Investigators visited the restaurant on January 16, 2024. Investigators reviewed the restaurant’s food preparation processes and did not identify factors that may have contributed to illnesses.
- On March 18, 2024, Public Health learned of someone who became sick after eating at this IHOP in Bellevue on February 26, 2024. Laboratory testing confirmed that this person had the same strain of Salmonella as the other people who became sick in this outbreak. In response, we re-opened this outbreak investigation.
- On April 2, 2024, Public Health visited the restaurant to take environmental samples. This means we tested various surfaces looking for Salmonella. We sent the samples to the Washington State Public Health Lab for testing.
- On April 10, 2024, one of the environmental samples came back positive for Salmonella which also matched the outbreak strain. That same day, Public Health ordered IHOP to close and conduct a thorough cleaning and disinfection.
- On April 12, 2024, Public Health visited the restaurant to confirm the deep cleaning was done appropriately, and the facility opened the same day.
- On May 24, 2024, Public Health learned of someone who became sick after likely eating at the IHOP in Bellevue on May 7, 2024. Laboratory testing confirmed that this person had the same strain of Salmonella as the other people who became sick in this outbreak. In response, Public Health ordered the IHOP in Bellevue to close until further notice.
- On Friday, June 7, 2024, the IHOP in Bellevue reopened after Public Health verified the facility had conducted extensive cleaning.
- On Thursday, June 27, 2024, Public Health ordered the IHOP in Bellevue to close again. This came after Public Health learned of another person who became sick after eating at this location. This person ate there on June 8, 2024, one day after the restaurant reopened after Public Health verified the facility had conducted extensive cleaning. Public Health will conduct environmental sampling of the location, to test various surfaces for Salmonella, before the facility is able to reopen.
- This investigation is ongoing and we will continue to monitor the situation and provide further updates.
Summary
Public Health is investigating an outbreak of salmonellosis (caused by Salmonella bacteria) associated with IHOP in Bellevue. The people who became sick reported eating a wide variety of breakfast foods at IHOP.
Illnesses
Six people have reported becoming sick with salmonellosis after eating food from IHOP in Bellevue. They ranged in age from 16 to 70 years old. Everyone developed one or more symptoms consistent with salmonellosis, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, bloody stool, and fever. We did not identify any ill employees of the IHOP in Bellevue.
Public Health actions
Public Health conducted interviews with the people who became sick to identify potential common exposures and identified that they all became sick after eating at IHOP in Bellevue. No specific food was identified.
Environmental Health Investigators requested source information and food receipts from the restaurant on January 11, 2024. Investigators visited the restaurant on January 16, 2024. Investigators reviewed the restaurant’s food preparation processes and did not identify factors that may have contributed to the outbreak. The facility conducted a thorough deep cleaning and reinforced food safety training with staff. Public Health ordered the restaurant to close until further notice on May 24, 2024.
Laboratory testing
All five cases had testing that identified Salmonella infections via culture. Further testing found all four people had the same strain of Salmonella based on genetic fingerprinting (whole genome sequencing or WGS) at the Washington State Public Health Laboratory.