An outbreak of Campylobacter cases is reported in Sanders County. Officials are tracing the bacterial infection back to Kennedy Creek, where people consumed contaminated water.

Sanders County Environmental Health released the following:

Sanders County is assisting the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Epidemiological Program with an outbreak of Campylobacter cases within Sanders County.

Data indicates the outbreak may be attributed to consumption of water from the Kennedy Creek watering point south of Paradise.

Multiple individuals have tested positive for Campylobacter infection after consuming water from this source.

Cases have reported diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and fever after drinking water from this source.

The public is reminded that the Kennedy Creek watering point is not a spring. The source of this water is surface water and flows both above and below ground. It is open to contamination from humans, animals, insects, and other forms of contamination typical of surface water.

Sanders County advises against consuming water from the Kennedy Creek watering point on Highway 200 south of Paradise. This watering point is not considered to be a safe source of drinking water.