Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls,Salmonella on September 2, 2026
Cache County and Box Elder County have recently experienced an uptick in Salmonella illnesses. Bear River Health Department is actively investigating the source of this outbreak and “taking steps to limit further spread.”
The investigation is still in the early stages. But hopefully a source can be identified soon. For now, residents of Cache County and Box Elder County can take preventative measures to reduce their risks until more information is available.
Here’s what we know about the Salmonella outbreak so far!
At least 21 confirmed cases of Salmonella in Cache County and Box Elder County have prompted a foodborne illness investigation. State and local health officials are working to identify the source.
Bear River Health Department has not released much else.
We do not know if the sick people are infected with the same strain of Salmonella bacteria. We do not know the ages of sick people. The date of illness onset has also not yet been released.
With not much to go on, it is a good time to brush up on the types of food commonly associated with Salmonella illness.
To better understand the future, you can often refer to the past.
Historically speaking, Salmonella illnesses have been associated with poultry, eggs, beef, and certain vegetables. For one reason or another, these foods are more likely than others to be at risk for Salmonella. It is important to note that any food, through cross-contamination or lapses in food safety practices, could theoretically be the source of Salmonella in Cache County and Box Elder County.
So, what have we seen in the past?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recent Salmonella outbreaks have been linked to:
All of these products have been linked to Salmonella outbreaks since 2024.
Another potential source of Salmonella outbreaks are petting zoos. Many animals found in petting zoos can spread Salmonella and other germs associated with foodborne illness.
But Salmonella is not the only germ associated with petting zoos. A recent Cryptosporidium outbreak was linked to a Rhode Island petting zoo. Another in Utah occurred a few years back. That one involving E. coli infections.
The Box Elder County Fair took place between August 22, 2026 and August 29, 2026. Bear River Health Department investigators are likely discussing this event as a potential overlapping experience between outbreak patients.
Salmonella is a microscopic germ responsible for salmonellosis illness.
The CDC estimates that Salmonella bacteria are responsible for around 1.35 million infections in the United States each year. Of those, around 26,500 people experience illnesses severe enough to require hospitalization. About 420 of those patients die from infection.
Food is the most common source of these salmonellosis illnesses. But petting zoos and other exposure opportunities can make people sick too!
If you have recently experienced gastrointestinal illness in Cache County or Box Elder County, you may be wondering if your symptoms are from a Salmonella infection.
Only specialized laboratory tests can determine if your illness is caused by Salmonella bacteria. Reach out to your healthcare provider for more information. However, you can compare your symptoms to what people commonly experience with these illnesses.
Common symptoms include:
Most people experience symptoms in as little as six hours and up to six days after exposure. In some cases, illness onset could be much longer.
Severity and length of illness often vary from person to person. Most people experience mild illnesses that pass quickly. Others may experience severe illness lasting weeks or even months after initial symptoms.
Most people, however, feel better within a week (four to seven days).
Certain groups of people have conditions or susceptibilities that make them more likely to become sick if exposed, and experience more severe symptoms if infected. This includes the very young, the very old, and those with a weakened immune system.
While most people do not need medical intervention and are not prescribed antibiotic treatment, those in the higher risk group are more likely to receive treatment.
Most of the time Salmonella bacteria are limited to the intestinal tract. However, in some cases, the bacteria can breach the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream capillaries and veins found there. When this happens, bacteria may infect the urinary tract, blood, bones, joints, and even the nervous system.
Common Salmonella complications include reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and bacteremia that can affect other parts of the body.
For now, Bear River Health Department encourages residents to take preventative measures to reduce their risk of Salmonella infection while they track down the source.
“The best ways to prevent Salmonella infection include washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the restroom, changing diapers, handling animals or their food, and before preparing or eating food.”
If you are experiencing diarrhea or vomiting symptoms, you should no prepare food for others.
Other measures suggested by Bear River Health Department include:
“Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider, especially if symptoms are severe or do not improve. People who are sick should stay at home when possible and practice good hand hygiene to avoid spreading the illness to others.”
If you have been impacted by Salmonella in Cache County or Box Elder County in Utah, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Salmonella Lawyer that can help.
Medical bills, lost wages, and other burdens associated with foodborne illness add up. The Lange Law Firm helps hold those responsible for foodborne illness accountable.
Reach out by calling (833) 330-3663 or send us an email for a free, no obligation consultation. A member of our compassionate team will go over the details of your situation with you to help determine if you have a legal case.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)