What's the Source of the Salmonella Thompson Outbreak In North Dakota?

What’s the Source of the Salmonella Thompson Outbreak In North Dakota?

North Dakota health officials are searching for the source of a Salmonella Thompson outbreak that has sickened 21 people since late July. Fourteen of the cases are from Ward County which includes the City of Minot and is located in the northwest part of the state. Others who are not from Ward County reported traveling there before becoming ill.

Symptoms of a Salmonella infection include fever, nausea, abdominal pain or cramps and diarrhea that can be watery or bloody. These symptoms usually develop between six and 72 hours of exposure and last about a week. However, it can take several months for bowel habits to return to normal.

Salmonella can also have long-term health effects. After initial symptoms resolve, a small number of people develop reactive arthritis which causes eye irritation and painful swelling of joints.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Salmonella sickens approximately 1.2 million Americans each year, killing 450 of them. Those most at risk for Salmonella infection include children under the age of 5, older adults and those with weakened immune systems.