First cases of rare Salmonella strain in Oregon

The Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division confirmed Coos County had its first Salmonella Overschie case.

The victim was a 28-year-old female who became ill with Salmonella Overschie — a rare strain of the illness — in December 2013, said Lena Hawtin, clinical services supervisor for vomit_here_by_seedpix_at_flickrthe Coos County Public Health Department.

There was another case, a girl no older than nine, in Lane County, according to the report from OHA. This strain never has been reported in Oregon. There were 23 cases of Salmonella Overschie in the U.S. between 1995 and 2005.

A questionnaire analysis found both cases had shared exposures, including leafy greens, raw salsa, dog food, travel, etc., however the exact cause was unknown. The cases were a 99 percent match, indicating they likely came from the same source.