SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A San Diego resident is one of three patients across California infected with salmonella linked to an herbal supplement.
The 44-year-old resident is the latest patient in the multi-state outbreak, according to the San Diego County Health and Human Service Agency.
The supplement, kratom, is used as a stimulant and opioid substitute. It's also known as thang, kakuam, thom, ketom, biak, and Mitragyna speciosa, according to county health officials.
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The San Diego patient fell ill in January but has since recovered. They were not hospitalized, officials said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified at least 40 cases of salmonellosis in 27 states. Fourteen patients have been hospitalized. The CDC has identified kratom products as the likely source, though a specific brand or supplier has yet to be named.
CDC officials recommend people do not consume kratom in any form.
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Kratom is an herb that is currently legal in most parts of California and the U.S. The FDA issued a ban on imports of the herb in 2014.
In 2016, the City of San Diego also passed a ban on the sale, possession, and distribution of mitragynine and hydroxyl-mitragynine, which are active components in kratom. Since 2014, there have been 10 deaths in the county associated with mitragynine.
Salmonellosis is a common intestinal infection traditionally associated with undercooked poultry or eggs, contaminated water, or unpasteurized dairy products. Most who fall ill from it are sick for four to seven days and experience diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
