2 in Snohomish County infected in E. coli outbreak tied to carrots

EVERETT — Two Snohomish County residents have been infected with E. coli from organic carrots as part of an outbreak that has sickened people in 18 states across the country, state health officials said Sunday.

As of Sunday, eight Washingtonians had been infected, including four in King County and one each in Pierce and Franklin counties, according to the state Department of Health. Five of them were hospitalized, but none have died. It’s unclear if the Snohomish County residents infected were hospitalized.

Across the country, the outbreak has infected 39 people, leading to 15 hospitalizations and one death. Washington has the most people infected by the outbreak. Over 70% of those sickened are women and the median age is 29, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC notes the true number of those infected is likely much higher because many don’t need medical care and aren’t tested for E. coli. And recent illnesses may not have been reported yet because it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

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