AXTELL, Kan.— State and local health officials are investigating a reported cluster of Salmonella infections connected to the annual Axtell Days Festival held earlier this month.
The Marshall County Health Department, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), is asking anyone who attended the event between August 6 and August 9 to complete an online health survey.Officials emphasize that all attendees should fill out the questionnaire, regardless of whether they became ill.
The voluntary survey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete.Gathering responses from both healthy and ill festival-goers is critical for epidemiologists working to pinpoint the source of the outbreak and track how the bacteria may have spread.
Salmonella is a foodborne illness that typically causes symptoms including diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.Symptoms generally begin anywhere from six hours to six days after initial exposure to the bacteria.
A link to the survey has been posted on the Marshall County Health Department’s official Facebook page.
Residents who are unable to access the online survey or who have questions regarding the ongoing investigation can contact the Marshall County Health Department directly by phone at 785-562-3485.
