Tagged: Kentucky Department for Public Health

State Health Department officials are looking for the cause of increased Salmonella cases in the region. Purchase District Health Department Epidemiologist Brandi Earp says they’re examining reported cases this summer to try to find any links between them. She says while the number of cases is high, they’re not considering it an outbreak. She says,

“Kentucky Department for Public Health would just like to share that they’re seeing a little bit more increase in Salmonella cases than usual, and they just want to heighten awareness for the public and for providers.”

Kentucky health experts say Lyme disease is likely underdiagnosed in the commonwealth, in part because it is rarely seen in the state. The number of cases is rising nationally, but just five cases were reported in Kentucky in each of the past two years. Kentucky Department for Public Health policy specialist Mike Schardein tells The Courier-Journal that he believes there are several cases that haven't been confirmed because doctors don't test for it. Lyme disease is spread by the black-legged deer tick, rarely seen in Kentucky.