The Rutherford-Polk-McDowell District Health Department has confirmed three salmonella cases in Polk County recently. Helen White, RN, PHN Supervisor at Rutherford-Polk-McDowell District Health Department, said all three cases involve Polk County High School students but no connection among them has yet been established.
Officials are still in the surveying stage, she said, and have not yet determined where salmonella was contracted or if the cases are related. More cases of salmonella are possible as other students have reported experiencing similar symptoms without going to a physician.
White 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.