87 cases of salmonella, two in Minnesota, linked to kratom

The Minnesota Department of Health is warning that some supplies of a plant sometimes used to reduce the symptoms of opioid withdrawal have been contaminated with salmonella bacteria.

Kratom is a plant from Southeast Asia that comes in pill, powder or tea form. It's a mild stimulant that some have adopted as a substitute for opioids.

Sean Buuck, an epidemiologist at the Minnesota Department of Health, said the contamination hasn't been tied to any one source of kratom. The agency is advising that people avoid all products containing kratom.

"It could be contamination in the environment where it's grown, or contamination could be introduced in the packaging or shipping process, basically anywhere," Buuck said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified 87 illnesses in 35 states that can be traced to supplements including the plant. Two people in Minnesota were sickened after consuming kratom powder according to the report.

Many cases of salmonella infection aren't reported because the victims don't go to the doctor or report their illness, Buuck said. Salmonella infection includes symptoms like diarrhea, stomach pain and fever. It can also lead to more serious infections.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved kratom for any medical use, and has advised consumers not to use the plant.

Kratom is not illegal in Minnesota. But a bill is being considered in the Minnesota state Legislature that would make it a gross misdemeanor to sell kratom to anyone under 18.