NewsDesk @bactiman63

In a follow-up on the outbreak of Shigellosis associated with Tamarind Tree Restaurant in Seattle, Public Health – Seattle & King County now reports 32 people reported becoming ill after eating food at the restaurant in mid-January.

shigellosis
Image/CDC

Ten of the 32 people who became ill tested positive for Shigella. Six cases have confirmatory testing indicating Shigella sonnei, a species of Shigella. Symptoms among those who did not get tested are suggestive of a Shigella infection.

At this time, no employees have tested positive for Shigella.

Investigators closed the restaurant during their visit on January 24, 2023. The restaurant was required to complete a thorough cleaning and disinfection. On February 7, Environmental Health investigators revisited the restaurant to confirm proper cleaning and disinfection, and the restaurant reopened that day.

Giant Microbes

Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria called Shigella.

Most who are infected with Shigella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Some people may have no symptoms.

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Illness from Shigella usually resolves in 5–7 days but recovered individuals may still spread the bacteria.

Ill persons with suspected shigellosis should not work in food handling, patient care, or childcare settings, and ill children with suspected shigellosis should not attend daycare until they have seen a healthcare provider and been tested for Shigella infection, even if their illness is mild. Persons with Shigella infection who work in or attend these sensitive settings must be cleared by Public Health before returning.