Possible salmonella outbreak reported in northeast Kansas

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Friday a possible salmonella outbreak has been reported after an Indian taco dinner Tuesday night in Highland, just north of Atchison.

The news release said one resident tested positive for salmonella after attending an Election Day dinner at the Highland United Methodist Presbyterian Church. KDHE and the Doniphan County Health Department are conducting an outbreak investigation after other people who attended the event reported stomach illness.

The agencies requested that anyone who attended the dinner or consumed food from the event complete an online survey, whether they became ill or not. Those who are unable to complete the survey online may call DCHD at (785) 985-3591 or the KDHE Epidemiology hotline at 877-427-7317.

People who think they became sick from the dinner are encouraged to contact a health care provider. Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps that last from 12 hours to four days, but can last as long as seven days after being exposed to the bacteria. Most people recover from the illness without treatment after four to seven days.

In some cases, symptoms may become so severe that patients need to be hospitalized. Children younger than 5 years old and adults older than 65 years old, or people with weakened immune systems, are more likely to have a severe illness.