The Cascade City-County Health Department (CCHD) in Great Falls, Montana has reported eight confirmed cases of Salmonella. Among the affected are six students from Sacajawea and Valley View elementary schools, a staff member from another educational institution, and an individual with no links to the schools. The CCHD is actively engaging with the confirmed cases and collaborating with Great Falls Public Schools (GFPS) to inform families, mitigate further spread, and pinpoint the contamination source, which remains unidentified.
In a proactive response, GFPS has suspended the provision of fresh fruits and vegetables, substituting them with dried and canned alternatives across all schools. This decision follows historical instances where such outbreaks were associated with fresh produce. GFPS emphasizes the importance of hand hygiene before and after meals and restroom use, advising those who exhibit symptoms to seek medical consultation. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available from state health authorities and CCHD.
Source: 3KRTV