The Rutherford-Polk-McDowell District Health Department has confirmed three salmonella cases in Polk County. All three cases involve Polk County High School students but no connection among them has yet been established. At least one of the confirmed patients had to be hospitalized.

Helen White, RN, PHN Supervisor at Rutherford-Polk-McDowell District Health Department, says the health department has worked well with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and the Polk County School system to test and monitor students. Officials asked students what and where they ate as far back as 72 hours prior to developing symptoms.

According to the N.C. HHS, Salmonella is on the rise in North Carolina, with as many as five times the number of cases as usual so far this year.