Bellevue Sushi Restaurant Closed by County During Salmonella Investigation

Updated Aug. 16: This restaurant has now reopened.

County health inspectors closed in downtown Bellevue at 4 p.m. Thursday after two separate patients with salmonella were connected to the restaurant, according to Seattle and King County Public Health.

The two people who fell ill were not hospitalized and have recovered from their illnesses, said James Apa, spokesman of Seattle and King County Public Health.

Marinepolis manager Keith Negley said the restaurant, a conveyor belt style sushi restaurant, is cooperating with the investigation fully, and could be reopen as soon as Friday.

"We're doing everything we can to assist, even if it's a potential that it could have been through here," he said.

Negley said that he was informed that the strain of salmonella being investigated is potentially spread through humans and not a food-borne illness, so the staff is being tested for salmonella. The restaurant, which is part of a chain that is headquartered in Oregon, is also looking at bringing in new staff so it can reopen, Negley said.

Symptoms of getting ill from salmonella usually develop 6 to 72 hours after consuming infected food or drink, according to the health department's website. According to the website, symptoms typically last 4 to 7 days and can include:

• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Headache
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Dehydration (fluid loss), especially among infants and the elderly

According to public records, Marinepolis Sushi Land had several violations in October and November that earned the restaurant "unsatisfactory" reviews. Click here to see the county's report on Marinepolis.

However, Negley said the health code is not being looked at this time, and that investigators are focusing instead to see if any of the employees are infected with the salmonella bacteria. The restaurant is complying with the testing, he said.

"We are as interested as everyone else is," he said.

To keep track of whether Marinepolis has been allowed to reopen, click here for information from the county. Bellevue Patch will also issue an update when the information is available.