Press reports this moring are of an ongoing outbreak being investigated by the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District of a recent increase in the number of Salmonella Type D cases.  There has been a total of 64 confirmed salmonella cases from May. 1 to Aug. 15.

Thirty-five of the cases have been linked to the Abilene Country Club, according to the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District.

South Heartland District Health Department along with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is investigating an outbreak of Salmonellosis associated with the Blue Hill Care Center in Webster County. To date there have been 17 confirmed cases and 2 probable or suspected cases reported in residents, staff or visitors. Four residents were temporarily hospitalized after showing symptoms. A visitor is still hospitalized.  There has been one death.  Blue Hill Care Center is cooperating fully with the investigation to help identify the source and eradicate the issue.

According to press reports, A Kentucky outbreak of Salmonella has been pinpointed to produce from southwestern Indiana. Cantaloupes are connected to the statewide Salmonellosis Outbreak. The public is advised to avoid eating melons grown in southwestern Indiana. The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) today reported that cantaloupes tested in the state public health laboratory carry the same strain of Salmonella associated with a statewide outbreak that health officials say is still ongoing.

The salmonellosis outbreak, which has sickened at least 50 Kentuckians and been associated with two deaths, began in early July. Through an epidemiological investigation and confirmatory lab testing, Kentucky public health officials determined that cantaloupes, which evidence indicates were grown in southwestern Indiana but purchased in Kentucky, carried the same strain of Salmonella determined to be the cause of an ongoing outbreak of infection.

Salmonellosis cases caused by the outbreak strain have also been reported in other states. In addition, investigation is also continuing into other clusters of Salmonella cases in Kentucky, which may be linked to cantaloupe or watermelon consumption.