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Campylobacter outbreak associated with Stripe’s workplace cafeteria
| AT-A-GLANCE | |
|---|---|
| Cases | 5 |
| Hospitalizations | 0 |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Status | Investigation is complete |
| Location | 920 5th Ave, floor 19, Seattle, WA 98101 |
| Meal Date Range | September 15, 2025 |
| Illness Onset Date Range | September 17– September 18, 2025 |
| Current Inspection Rating | Good |
Summary
Public Health investigated an outbreak of Campylobacter associated with Stripe’s workplace cafeteria. This cafeteria is for Stripe employees and is typically not open to the public. Based on our investigation, people may have become sick from eating chicken liver pâté.
This outbreak is over, and our investigation is complete.
Illnesses
Since October 2, 2025, at least 5 people became sick with symptoms of Campylobacter illness, including diarrhea (some with blood), stomach pain, fever, and joint pain.
Public Health actions
We interviewed the people who became sick to learn more about their symptoms and what they ate.
On October 15, we visited the cafeteria and spoke with the cafeteria manager. We found that the chicken liver pâté may have been undercooked, which could increase the risk of Campylobacter.
We provided guidance to improve the cafeteria’s food safety, including:
- Doing a deep cleaning of the restaurant
- Regular temperature checks and logs for high-risk foods like chicken liver pâté
- How to report to Public Health any foodborne illnesses associated with their cafeteria
We went back to the cafeteria on October 27 and found that most of the problems had been fixed. When we visited the cafeteria again on November 10, all food safety concerns had been addressed.
Laboratory testing
Five people tested positive for Campylobacter.
About Campylobacter
- Campylobacter bacteria are one of the most common causes of diarrheal illness and other stomach problems
- People most commonly get Campylobacter illness by:
- Eating raw or undercooked poultry or other foods, including seafood, meat, and produce
- Preparing raw or lightly cooked foods, including salad and fruits, with knives or on cutting boards that were used with raw poultry, seafood, or meat
- Touching animals or things in their environment
- Drinking untreated water
- Symptoms can include:
- Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
- Fever
- Stomach pains
- Nausea or vomiting
- Symptoms usually begin 2 to 5 days after swallowing Campylobacter and often go away within 7 days
- Campylobacter infection can sometimes lead to other health problems, including irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, and nerve damage (Guillain-Barré Syndrome)
How to protect yourself from Campylobacter
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially when handling animals or raw meat
- Cook poultry and foods containing poultry (such as sausages and casserole) to at least 165°F to kill harmful bacteria
- Keep raw meat separate from other foods. Use separate cutting boards and clean them properly
- If your poultry looks undercooked in a restaurant, ask for it to be cooked more
- Drink only pasteurized milk and safe, treated water
- Wash your hands after touching animals, their food or their poop
More information about Campylobacter
- About Campylobacter infection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Campylobacter, Foodsafety.gov