A listeria outbreak that killed three people was linked to a milkshake at a Tacoma restaurant, health officials said Friday.
Between February and July, six people (five in Pierce County and one in Thurston County) fell ill with bacterial infections that compromised the immune system’s ability to fight disease, the Washington State Department of Health said in a news release. did.
All were hospitalized.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department reported that the milkshakes at Tacoma’s Frugal’s restaurant were sold after two people told officials they felt sick after drinking the Frugal’s milkshake. was inspected in August.
According to the State Department, local authorities found all the milkshake flavors to be contaminated with listeria. All six were found to be sick from the same food.
Restaurants will not make milkshakes until departmental approval is obtained.
The State Department says most people who have eaten Listeria-contaminated food will not develop serious symptoms, but those at higher risk should receive Flugalz between May 29 and August 7. They advised to contact their health care provider if they drank the milkshake.
People considered high risk include those over the age of 65, those with weakened immune systems, and those who are pregnant.
Symptoms of Listeria infection range from fever, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, and flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and fatigue.