Salmonella outbreak declared

GRANT COUNTY — Since February, seven cases of a rare salmonella were reported in Grant County, the health district reported Wednesday.

"I think we have enough documentation gathered that we can say we have an outbreak of salmonella in the county," said health officer Alexander Brzezny.

Four other cases of possible salmonella could bring the total to 11, Brzezny said.

The salmonella type is called senftenberg salmonella.

In 2001, 70 cases of senftenberg salmonella were reported in California, the most cases of the western United States, he said.

"We could have 11 just of Grant County," he said.

Centers for Disease Control spokesperson Lola Russell said the senftenberg strain of salmonella is no more dangerous than any other.

"There are sometimes literally hundreds of different strains," Russell said.

Any strain of salmonella can be serious to an individual, she said.

In the past three weeks the cases in Grant County have been connected through DNA as all being from the same bug, Brzezny said. The health district has several leads on the origin, he said.

"If we find out where it's coming from, I think it's going to be very publishable data because it's rare and it's in Grant County," he said.

Senftenberg salmonella was only discovered in the 1990s, Brzezny noted.

He said the cases in Grant County seem to be isolated and not part of a broad, countywide outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control advises the public not to consume raw or undercooked meat or eggs. Dairy products that are raw or unpasteurized should be avoided as well, the agency cautions.

The center recommends people wash their hands after contact with animal feces and reptiles, and wash produce thoroughly before eating it.