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A recent Cascade County Salmonella outbreak involving elementary school students is now linked to a larger, multi-state outbreak.
Limited data is available about this connection, but we expect to know more in the coming days as more laboratory test results are reported and details are released.
Here’s what we know so far about the Cascade County Salmonella outbreak and what you can do to help.
As of November 20, 2024, 11 cases have been confirmed in the Cascade County Salmonella outbreak and more “probable” cases without laboratory tests may be added to the outbreak based on epidemiological data.
Of the 11 confirmed cases, nine are from those in the Great Falls Public School System. The other two are not connected to any school.
Reports indicate that at least three of those Salmonella cases have been linked to a national outbreak strain.
County health officials say that the Montana Public Health and Human Services laboratory confirmed these links through genetic testing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been notified of these findings.
A Cascade County health officer indicates that the associated multi-state Salmonella outbreak spans 12 states nationwide. All with confirmed linked Salmonella cases.
This multi-state outbreak does not appear to be announced on the FDA’s current outbreak investigation page.
Currently, there are only two Salmonella outbreaks listed. Both were announced in early October. One outbreak involves a strain of Salmonella Liverpool with 3 cases. The other involves a strain of Salmonella Thompson with 25 cases. Neither appear consistent with the Cascade County Salmonella outbreak in that those outbreaks have been declared “over” with no new cases for several weeks.
The same Cascade County health officer explains that the source of this outbreak has not yet been determined, but evidence points to a food with national distribution.
There have been no recent Salmonella recalls posted to the FDA’s Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts page.
As more information becomes available. This too, will likely be updated.
The Great Falls Public School System is cooperating with state and local officials with the Cascade County Salmonella outbreak investigation.
The school system proactively removed fresh produce items from the school menu. These ingredients were replaced with canned items. All confirmed cases have a date of symptom onset before the removal of produce from school menus.
Following reports of Salmonella illnesses associated with students in the Great Falls Public School System, Cascade County Health Department sanitarians inspected school kitchens. No factors that would contribute to the spread of Salmonella infection were observed.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has requested several food items for Salmonella testing. These include apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and fresh and frozen strawberries. These sample collected from Sacajawea, Valley View, Meadowlark, and Lincoln elementary schools were sent to the state lab on November 20, 2024.
Not all sick students with symptoms require medical care. Those students may be connected to the Cascade County Salmonella outbreak but were not tested for the bacterial infection. Great Falls Public School System provided Cascade County Health Department a list of students who have been absent since October 28 who have symptoms consistent with Salmonella infection and whether those students ate a hot lunch from the school within the incubation period prior to becoming sick.
Salmonella are microscopic germs that can make you sick. For elementary school kids, it can make them very sick.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1.35 million people are infected with the bacteria in the United States each year. However, only 1 in every 30 illnesses are diagnosed. This is because most people with food poisoning do not seek medical treatment. For those cases, no laboratory testing is performed, the exact germ that made them sick is not known.
Epidemiologic data based on symptom onset, proximity to others included in an ongoing outbreak, and other details can categorize some of these untested people as “possible” or “presumptive” for data analysis purposes.
Salmonella bacteria is most associated with intestinal illness.
Common symptoms include:
Most people experience symptoms in as little as six hours and up to six days after exposure.
While anyone can become sick if exposed, severity and length of illness can vary from person to person. Most people experience mild illness that passes quickly. Others may experience severe illness lasting weeks or even months after initial symptoms.
In most cases, people feel better within a week (four to seven days).
Seek medical attention right away if you have:
If you, your child, or a family member have become sick with Salmonella and may be included in this Cascade County Salmonella outbreak you can help the investigation process.
The more information that health officials can piece together allows them to understand the source of the outbreak.
If you have not already been contacted, reach out to your local health department to participate in interview activities. If you have not already done so, have your sample tested so genetic data can be compared to the outbreak strain.
Every bit of information helps.
Navigating the legal system can be difficult. An experienced lawyer knows the right questions to ask and the answer to those you may have.
If you have been impacted by this Cascade County Salmonella outbreak and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Salmonella lawyer that can help.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has successfully represented cases just like yours and won millions of dollars in food poisoning and products liabilities lawsuits.
Reach out by calling (833) 330-3663 or send us an email for a free, no obligation consultation to go over the details of your situation. Don’t wait. Call today!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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