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Authorities are investigating a possible connection between an ongoing salmonella outbreak and a recent church picnic as the number of confirmed sick in Perry County has risen to 50.
Sheila Hahs, Perry County Health Department communicable-disease coordinator, said Friday no cause has been determined.
Hahs said the department continues to work with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), which has begun distributing a survey seeking in-depth information about the behavior of individuals who attended the St. Vincent de Paul Seminary Picnic Aug. 3, 4 and 5.
The introduction to the 45-question online survey, titled “Church Picnic Salmonella Outbreak 2018,” states at least some of the reported ill attended the picnic. The survey asks participants to detail any symptoms, treatments, whether they brought or prepared food at the picnic and which foods, if any, they consumed while there.
Hahs said the survey is a starting point, after which representatives from the Perry County Health Department will conduct individual follow-up interviews with people who were sickened.
