PORT TOWNSEND — Health officials have alerted consumers to a green and white pumpkinlike squash that might make them ill.
Two people from the Port Townsend area became ill after eating a small amount of delicata squash last month, the Jefferson County Public Health Department reported.
Health officials recorded two more cases in Kitsap County and warn the public to be aware of the bitter-tasting squash that looks like a small green-and-white-striped pumpkin.
Health officials could not name a precise location of where the poisonous squash came from.
Cramps, diarrhea
Residents developed stomach cramps and diarrhea, said Dr. Tom Locke, health officer for Jefferson and Clallam counties.
According to health officials, such cases are extremely rare and happen only as the result of earlier cross-pollination of squash seeds, mixed with wild gourd.
“It’s unusual,” Locke said.
“It’s not a typical food poisoning outbreak due to squash going bad.”
Delicata squash is particularly prone to this cross-pollination, said Locke.
Normal delicata tastes sweet and has a long shelf life.