Oregon, Washington investigate salmonella cases linked to Papa Murphy’s cookie dough
Oregon and Washington epidemiologists are investigating 10 cases of an identical strain of salmonella bacteria infection that are believed to be linked to eating raw Papa Murphy’s chocolate chip cookie and s'mores bar dough, the Oregon Health Authority said Tuesday.
The cookie dough is meant to be cooked before consumed. Ingredients include raw flour and eggs that can contain bacteria that causes food poisoning, said OHA spokesperson Jonathan Modie.
Papa Murphy's, headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, has stopped selling the raw cookie dough products, according to health officials in Washington.
Papa Murphy's did not immediately respond to a call for comment.
Who has gotten sick
The four individuals in Oregon who where infected ranged in age from 20 to 57. They reported they began getting ill between April 1-21. None of them were hospitalized.
Washington State Department of Health officials reported Monday there have been six cases in that state. The individuals were between the ages of 15-54. One person has been hospitalized. Single cases were reported in the following Washington counties: Clark, King, Lincoln, Pierce, Spokane, and Whatcom.
Investigators trying to identify source of contamination
So far, the source of the ingredient contaminated with salmonella has not been identified, said Moody.
The dough was provided to Papa Murphy by a distributor, he said.
OHA epidemiologists are working with Washington's health department, the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the outbreak, going up and down the manufacturing and distribution chain, Moody said.
What to do with unused cookie dough
Refrigerated or frozen cookie dough from Papa Murphy's should be thrown away, health officials in both states said. Wash your hands afterward.
Thoroughly wash and sanitize utensils and surfaces that may have touched the cookie dough.
What to do if you have eaten the raw dough products
Those who ate the raw cookie dough products and feel ill should immediately consult their health care provider.
"People should contact a health care provider if they believe they’ve had symptoms of salmonellosis, including diarrhea, after eating raw cookie dough," Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at the OHA's public health division, said in a press release.
People who have eaten cookie dough but not gotten sick do not need to notify a health care provider, he said.
Symptoms of salmonella
Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps one to seven days after exposure. The illness usually lasts four to seven days.
Most people recover without treatment, Cieslak said.
Infants, older individuals and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe illness. Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites and, in rare cases, can be deadly.
During 2013–2022 — the most recent 10-year period — Oregon averaged 459 - with a range of 337–585 - reported cases of salmonellosis a year, according to OHA.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon investigates illness linked to Papa Murphy’s cookie dough
