3 Dead In Listeria Outbreak Tied To Milkshakes At Washington Restaurant

TACOMA, WA — Six people were hospitalized, three of whom died, in connection with a Listeria outbreak tied to bacteria found in milkshakes at a Tacoma resturant, according to authorities.

Listeria was discovered in the ice cream machines at the Frugals location on Pacific Avenue South, the Washington State Department of Health reported, adding the machines had been cleaned incorrectly.

The restaurant stopped using the machines Aug. 8., but Listeria can sicken people for up to 70 days, according to the department. Most people who eat food contaminated with Listeria do not get seriously ill, but those who are pregnant, 65 or older, or have weakened immune systems should call a health care provider if they ate a milkshake from the restaurant between May 29 and Aug. 7 and have symptoms.

Listeria symptoms include fever, muscle aches, tiredness, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures, according to the department. Listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth, as well as serious illness or death in newborns.

Six people with the same strain of Listeria found in the milkshakes were hospitalized between Feb. 27 and July 22, all of whom had conditions that weakened their immune systems, the department reported. Three of the six people died.

“We are heartbroken and deeply regret any harm our actions could have caused,” the restaurant said in a statement posted on Instagram.

The Tacoma Frugals was working with the Pierce County Health Department to identify and contain the source of the bacteria and sent the milkshake equipment to an independent facility for cleaning and retesting.

While no other Frugals locations are thought to be affected, milkshake machines at all the chain's restaurants were directed to be shut down, samples from the equipment were to be tested, and the eateries will undergo enhanced safety and sanitization procedures.