Health officials near Huntsville investigate reports of salmonella

ATHENS, Ala. (AP) - Health officials are investigating at least half a dozen cases of salmonella poisoning in Limestone County. Authorities say they believe people who fell ill may have contracted it at an annual bean dinner fundraiser held Friday in Athens. Kelli Powers, chief executive officer of Athens-Limestone Hospital, says the hospital had confirmed six cases of infection by the bacterium by afternoon Monday. Powers tells the News Courier that symptoms seen in patients include diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. Powers said the Alabama Department of Public Health has been notified and would be testing food leftover from the bean dinner.