Salmonella source found

Moses Lake restaurant identified

MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake Arby's Restaurant appears to be the source of a salmonella outbreak.

The Grant County Health District confirmed 16 cases of the disease since February. The cases involve a rare type of salmonella called senftenberg. A possible 17th case is presumed to test positive, said Administrator Peggy Grigg.

Several cases were linked to Arby's Restaurant on Stratford Road. The health department continues investigating other possible sources, Grigg said.

"The management staff and employees have been extremely cooperative throughout the entire investigation." stated Director of Environmental Health Services Jerry Campbell.

More than half of the 16 cases were linked to the food establishment, Health Officer Alexander Brzezny said at a health district board meeting Wednesday.

"I think they're all related because they're due to that rare strain," Brzezny said.

A piece of equipment at Arby's Restaurant was found to be contaminated, and it was removed from the establishment, Grigg said.

Three food handlers at the restaurant tested positive for salmonella, and a fourth food handler is likely to test positive, Brzezny said.

In instances where an infected individual did not recall eating at the restaurant, cross-contamination likely occurred, he said.

"The health and safety of our employees and customers is our top priority," Arby's Restaurant Owner Richard Riva stated to the health district. "We appreciate the dedication of the Grant County Health District to work with all of the restaurants in Moses Lake to ensure we're serving great, safe food."

Twenty-one food workers at Arby's Restaurant were asked to submit a specimen for testing. Five specimens are still at the lab awaiting results.

"We have employees who are not working until they have cleared that they do not have it," said Arby's Restaurant Vice President of Operations Deana Harris.

Harris said employees must fill out log books to document hand-washing, temperature checks, and cleaning and sanitizing of equipment. Equipment is being sanitized more frequently than required, she said.

"We had several recent inspections since this incident, and they've all been perfect," Harris said. "I assure you that we're serving a safe, great food."

The investigation was conducted with help from the Washington State Department of Health, state Public Health Laboratories, Chelan and Douglas County Health Districts, Region 7 Emergency Preparedness and health professionals in the county.

"Working with the Department of Health, (we) gave them some guidance as to some things that they can do with their sanitizing processes, and we're doing some frequent inspections right now," Grigg said. "We're working with them right now to determine who may and who may not work."