Lewis County Woman Among Those Sickened by Kratom-Linked Salmonella Outbreak

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The Washington State Department of Health announced Friday that a Salmonella outbreak linked to kratom has widened.

Ten people, including a Lewis County woman in her 30s, have been sickened so far, and health officials warn that kratom should not be consumed in any form. Four of those sickened so far had to be hospitalized, including the Lewis County woman.

“Kratom is a plant used for its stimulant effects and as an opioid substitute,” the department of health wrote in a press release. “It is not regulated or safety-tested by any U.S. consumer safety entity; however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will post product recalls related to this outbreak on their website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is coordinating this multi-state Salmonella outbreak which has sickened at least 87 people in at least 35 states.”

People who have consumed kratom and have symptoms of Salmonella illness — which include severe or bloody diarrhea, fever, chills, abdominal discomfort, and occasionally vomiting — are advised by the department of health to contact their health care provider, being sure to mention any products they’ve consumed that may contain kratom. Some kratom-containing products might not list it on the label.

Anyone can get Salmonella, but these groups are most at risk for severe illness:

• People with weakened immune systems

• Pregnant women

• People younger than five years old and older adults