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Still No Confirmed Source For Bethel’s Salmonella Outbreak

Centers for Disease Control
/
CDC

As of now, there’s no confirmed source for Bethel’s salmonella outbreak.

“Unfortunately our findings were inconclusive at this point in terms of identifying a particular food item, or behavior, or exposure,” said Karen Martinek, a nurse with the Alaska Division of Public Health.

Martinek and a team flew to Bethel last week to investigate the outbreak. They interviewed people who contracted the illness and collected laboratory samples from a Bethel grocery store.

Martinek says the team is reviewing its data and waiting for lab test results. The group should have more information later this week.

Bethel has reported six cases of salmonellosis this month. Last year, only two cases were reported for the entire Southwest part of the state.

Salmonellosis is a bacteria-born illness of the intestines. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. To prevent contracting or spreading the bacteria, the state's Public Health division recommends washing your hands, storing and cooking foods at their proper temperatures, not preparing food for others when you’re sick, and cleaning knives, cutting boards and preparation areas after each contact with raw meat. 

Anna Rose MacArthur served as KYUK's News Director from 2015-2022.
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