June 18, 2008
Montanan Diagnosed with Salmonella Saintpaul while Working Out of State
The state Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) confirmed Friday that a Montana resident is one of the cases linked to the nationwide Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak.
However, health department officials stressed that this individual is known to have acquired the infection in another state.
DPHHS Communicable Disease Surveillance coordinator Bonnie Barnard said the case does not pose a health risk for Montana. “But, those who have been following the outbreak will notice our state will now be listed as having one case even though the individual was infected and became sick outside of Montana,” she explained.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating with other agencies in conducting an ongoing investigation of human Salmonella Saintpaul infections.
The investigation originally focused on the consumption of raw tomatoes in New Mexico and Texas, but has now been expanded to include fresh jalapeño peppers and fresh cilantro.
At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site, a United States map is updated everyday showing the states that have Salmonella Saintpaul cases.
To view the map and for advice to consumers regarding foods to avoid, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/Salmonella/saintpaul/.
As of July 14, 2008, 1,167 persons infected with Salmonella Saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint have been identified in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada since April 2008.
There are no other known cases in Montana at this time, Barnard said. DPHHS will continue to work with CDC, as needed, on the investigation.
Page last updated: 07/18/2008
