Protecting families from contaminated food and water
All fields are required
Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Campylobacter,Campylobacter Attorney,Campylobacter Lawsuit,Campylobacter Lawyer,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on March 5, 2026
King County Public Health recently investigated a Campylobacter outbreak at How to Cook a Wolf restaurant in Seattle. At least three people fell sick. However, there are likely others who have not been included in outbreak statistics.
What caused the outbreak? Has How to Cook a Wolf had similar issues in the past? How do you know if you have a Campylobacter infection?
Follow along for the answers to these questions, and more!
On March 3, 2026, King County Public Health published their finding on their Campylobacter outbreak investigation linked to How to Cook a Wolf. A Seattle restaurant located at 2208 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Between February 1, 2026 and February 4, 2026, at least three people began feeling sick with symptoms associated with Campylobacter illness. Diarrhea, fever, feeling queasy (nausea), chills, body aches, and feeling very tired (fatigue).
Laboratory reports indicate that one person tested positive for Campylobacter infection.
Two people were available for interview. It appears chicken liver mousse may have been a potential food source.
On February 24, 2026, King County Public Health visited the How to Cook a Wolf Restaurant.
No sick restaurant workers with signs of Campylobacter illness were observed at the time.
During the visit, health officers questioned employees how they prepare their chicken liver mousse. “Undercooked poultry products, including chicken liver mousse, can carry a higher risk of being contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria if they are not fully cooked.”
Health officers gave the restaurant specific guidance on improving food safety with respect to their risky menu item, chicken liver mousse.
Two major topics involved regular temperature checks and keeping logs for certain high-risk foods (like chicken liver mousse) and ensuring that all poultry products reach a final cooking temperature of 165 °F or higher.
Overall, the How to Cook a Wolf restaurant has had positive restaurant safety ratings. Most inspections have been routine inspections conducted by King County Public Health.
However, all warnings have been for the same violation.
“Proper cold holding temperatures.”
The restaurant was issued this exact warning on March 8, 2025, September 16, 2024, and on August 29, 2023. A consistent problem for the facility.
When it comes to food safety, there is a golden rule. Cold food must stay cold, and hot food must stay hot. This is because harmful germs can rapidly multiple during the “danger zone” between these two ranges.
There is a whole booklet of other health code requirements, but the current Campylobacter outbreak potentially connected to chicken liver mousse, may have been impacted by temperature control.
So, what is Campylobacter anyway, and how bad is it?
Campylobacter is a bacterium with a funny name but serious potential complication. It is pronounced KAM-PUH-LOW-BAK-TR and it is a common cause of diarrheal and digestive illness.
Some of the more common ways of getting a Campylobacter infection include eating undercooked foods (poultry, seafood, meat, produce, etc.), consuming raw or lightly cooked food prepared with knives or on cutting boards used for raw poultry seafood or meat, and drinking untreated water.
Specialized laboratory tests are required to determine if you have a Campylobacter infection. If you begin experiencing symptoms, reach out to your health care provider or your local health department.
Common Campylobacter symptoms include:
People often begin to feel sick around two to five days after ingesting something contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria. Most of the time symptoms are resolved within a week. However, some may experience additional complications.
Those with weakened immune systems, people receiving chemotherapy treatment, and those with a blood disorder are more likely to develop a life-threatening infection if the bacteria spread to the bloodstream.
Campylobacter infections can get very bad. Certain complications of Campylobacter infections can be long-term and even life-threatening. These include Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Reactive Arthritis. Three well-known complications.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome impacts around 3,000 to 6,000 people in the United States each year. It is a type of complication causing an autoimmune-induced paralysis that attacks the nervous system.
This complication often starts as a weakness and tingling sensation in the arms and upper body. It can spread over the course of a few hours, days, or even weeks and worsen until muscles become paralyzed.
In most cases, those suffering from Guillain-Barré Syndrome recover within a few weeks. Others, unfortunately, may take years to recover or suffer permanent nerve damage.
Some people have even died of complications from Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
Another potential complication of Campylobacter infection is irritable bowel syndrome. This is a condition often brought on by environmental triggers (such as a Campylobacter bacterial infection).
Inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract can often result in persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding/bloody stools, weight loss, and fatigue.
Campylobacter infections may also cause a joint condition complication known as reactive arthritis.
Reactive arthritis causes pain, inflammation, and swelling of the joints (ankles, knees, and feet). It can also affect the eyes and urethra.
In some cases, it may take a year or more for relapses of reactive arthritis symptoms to finally resolve.
King County Health reports that the outbreak is over and the investigation is complete. However, there may be additional unreported cases.
If you have been impacted by the Campylobacter outbreak at How to Cook a Wolf Restaurant in Seattle, you might have questions.
Who is responsible for medical bills? What about missed work? What are your rights?
An experienced Campylobacter outbreak lawyer can help answer questions you may have. Even some that you may not have thought of. It is important to get advice right away, as some information is time sensitive.
If you have become seriously ill with a Campylobacter infection from How to Cook a Wolf, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Campylobacter Outbreak Lawyer that can help!
Call (833) 330-3663 or email today for your free, no obligation consultation. A compassionate member of our team will go over the details of your situation to help you decide if you have a legal case.
Don’t wait! Call today!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)