Recently, a salmonella outbreak has affected 14 adults and children on Oahu, with four requiring hospitalization, as of Nov. 8.

The recent outbreak has been thought to be linked to limu, or seaweed, prepared with a raw fish known as poke.

After an investigation by the HDH, according to KITV News, the source of the salmonella outbreak was traced to a Kahuku farm called Marine Agrifuture.

“Marine Agrifuture is a major distributor of ogo and sea asparagus in Hawaii, and its products may have been shipped to all islands, as well as the mainland (California and Washington state),” according to a department press release. “The department is still confirming all locations and states the product may have been shipped to.”

Since then, the farm was issued a cease and desist order and has contacted its distributors. The distributors have removed the seaweed from store shelves.  

The farm is awaiting the results of tests by the HDH to determine if the produce is still contaminated. If the results prove negative, Marine Agrifuture will be able to sell the seaweed again.

Times Supermarkets will stop using raw seaweed in its poke temporarily, due to the recent salmonella concerns.

Salmonellosis is an infection of the intestines caused by the salmonella bacteria. It can be contracted by eating food or drinking water infested with human or animal feces that have salmonella. It can also be contracted by touching salmonella-infested animals, according to the Hawaii Department of Health’s (HDH) Disease Outbreak Control Division.

The bacteria can spread through fecal-oral contact, by eating or handling food prepared by someone with salmonella and can often spread without noticeable symptoms 12 to 72 hours after being in contact with the bacteria.