Public health officials announced Thursday that they are investigating a Bellevue Asian grocery store after a woman who contracted a rare and sometimes fatal bacterial infection.

A King County resident was diagnosed on Nov. 10 with a rare wound infection caused by the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus. Officials are investigating the possibility that the bacteria came from tilapia fish purchased the Asian Food Center, located at 14509 NE 20th St. in Bellevue.

Public Health of Seattle & King County is testing samples of the fish and fish tanks at the Asian Food Center. The investigation focuses on tilapia, but they are also looking into the possibility that other seafood may have been contaminated. All tilapia and other fish processed at the Bellevue Asian Food Center were disposed of and the tanks and other equipment were decommissioned until they can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Vibrio vulnificus can cause life-threatening illness, so health officials advise that anyone who has eaten or prepared fish from this location before November 17 should be watchful for symptoms of infection for 7 days, and people who purchased fish from this location should discard the fish.

“Persons who prepared or consumed fish of any kind from this location should contact their healthcare provider if they develop signs of skin infection, fever, chills, or diarrhea in the seven days after contact with the fish,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “At this time, there is no known risk for people who have not been in contact with fish from this location, but people should always take precautions when handling raw seafood.”

The person who developed the infection, a woman in her fifties, was hospitalized and is now recovering at home. Her infection likely resulted while she was preparing the tilapia fish and cut her finger, which allowed the bacteria from the fish to enter and infect the wound.