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SEATTLE — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with state and federal agencies, are investigating reports of 18 salmonella infections in at least half a dozen states that may have come from raw cookie dough sold at Papa Murphy’s .
People have been sick in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, California and Missouri, the CDC announced Tuesday. Illnesses were reported from February 27 to May 2.
Interviews with sick people show that raw cookie dough sold at Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake pizzerias can be contaminated. People reported eating the cookie dough raw, the CDC said.
Six people in Washington, four in Idaho and four in Oregon have fallen ill, according to the CDC’s website. Utah says two people got sick there. California and Missouri each reported one sick person linked to the outbreak.
Two people were hospitalized, but their whereabouts were not specified. No deaths have been reported.
The number of sick people is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak could spread to other states, CDC officials said.
The pizza-to-go company — based in Vancouver, Wash. — has temporarily stopped selling its raw chocolate chip cookie dough and s’more bar dough. Although a photo of desserts, including cookies and s’more bars, could be seen on their website Tuesday, those items were not available to order.
People who have the paste at home should throw it away, and objects and surfaces that may have touched the paste should be washed in the dishwasher or with hot, soapy water, according to the CDC.
Investigators are trying to identify the contaminated ingredient in the raw cookie dough.
Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps six hours to six days after being exposed to the bacteria. The illness typically lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment, according to the CDC.
Children under 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe disease.