Kentucky may be hardest hit in salmonella scare

Updated: Mon 12:08 AM, Aug 20, 2012

MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - A salmonella outbreak has folks nationwide checking their produce, but Kentucky officials say the bluegrass state may be hardest hit.

"In Kentucky so far, there's been 50 reported illnesses and unfortunatley, 2 deaths," Christie Green, with the Madison County Health Department says.

Green says while there have been six reported cases in Madison County, only one case of salmonella can be linked to the same bacterial strain effecting thousands of cantalopes grown in southwestern Indiana.

WalMart stores have pulled cantalopes from that area, where experts believe the problem is from their shelves. All while consumers try to avoid getting sick.

"You should verify where it came from before you purchase it," says Green.

While two people in Kentucky have died in connection to the contaminated cantalopes, Green says most healthy people should be able to recover from exposure to the bacteria. Green says experts are still looking into the salmonella scare.

"They're investigating it mostly on the state level and we're helping them with whatever they need from us," says Green.

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