Eighth salmonella case reported in Grant County

GRANT COUNTY — One more case of senftenberg salmonella was confirmed in Grant County, bringing the total number of cases to eight since February.

"More cases are pending confirmation by lab work," said Administrator Peggy Grigg.

Grant County Health Officer Alexander Brzezny said Wednesday enough documentation existed to declare an outbreak of salmonella in the county. Brzezny said the people who contracted it in Grant County were recovering without complications.

Brzezny said the senftenberg type of salmonella is rare.

"In 2006, salmonella senftenberg caused less than 0.1 percent of all salmonella cases in Washington," Grigg noted. "It is not more dangerous than other salmonella types but it is rare."

Approximately 2,000 types of salmonella exist, she said.

She said investigating the cases is difficult since they happened randomly during a six-month period. The health district is looking at common traits among the ill so staff can determine what caused the infection.

"The source of this outbreak is still unclear," she said Friday.

Symptoms of salmonella include severe or bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, chills, fever and sometimes vomiting. The symptoms show up one to three days after exposure to salmonella, Grigg said.

The Grant County Health District offers the following tips to the public:

? Wash hands, using soap and warm water, after using the restroom, changing diapers, contact with animals and handling food.

? Make sure children properly wash hands.

? Keep reptiles from areas where small children eat or bathe.

? Make sure to purchase inspected eggs, meat and poultry products, and drink only pasteurized milk and milk products.

? Plastic bags should be wrapped around poultry and meat at the market so blood doesn't drip onto other food.

? Promptly refrigerate food.

? Meat and poultry should be defrosted in the refrigerator. Minimize the amount of time kept at room temperature.

? Cutting boards and counters should be washed immediately after preparing meat or poultry to avoid cross contamination.

? Raw or undercooked meat, poultry and eggs should not be consumed.

? Anyone with diarrhea should not prepare food for others.

? A person with diarrhea should not swim in lakes or pools.