On May 12, 2021, The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced a multi-county outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 that began as a Public Health-Seattle & King County investigation involving several children with E. coli. The outbreak is linked to Pure Eire Dairy yogurt also sold as PCC Community Market brand yogurt.
Update 6/23/21: One new case from Arizona has been identified who was infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7. This brings the total number of outbreak-associated cases to 17. All three of the Arizona cases are considered secondary infections.
Update 6/17/21: One new child case has been identified who was infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 and was hospitalized for their illness. This brings the total number of outbreak-associated cases to 16.
The two Arizona cases infected by the outbreak strain of E. coli O157 did not consume PCC or Pure Eire brand yogurt.
- The first Arizona case is considered a secondary infection. This person was infected after having close contact with a Washington state resident who regularly ate Pure Eire yogurt and developed diarrhea (but was not tested) shortly before traveling to Arizona.
- The newest Arizona case added on 6/17/2021 is also considered a secondary infection.
Public health message
- If you have PCC Community Market brand yogurt or Pure Eire yogurt at home, do not eat it and throw it away.
- E. coli infections can cause serious complications. Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps and blood in the stool.
- If you notice symptoms, especially bloody diarrhea, contact your health care provider right away.
Case information
DOH is reporting confirmed cases infected with bacteria that have been genetically linked. Local health jurisdictions may report higher numbers for their counties that include cases still under investigation and may provide additional detail on their cases.
Case information will be updated twice a week, as new information is available.
Last updated 6/23/21 at 7:07 p.m.
Summary
| Statewide total |
Cases |
| Confirmed cases – updated 6/23/21 |
17 |
| Hospitalized – updated 6/17/21 |
10 |
| Developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) |
4 |
| Died |
0 |
