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UPDATED POST, FEB. 23
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the voluntary destruction and recall of kratom-containing dietary supplements manufactured and distributed nationwide under the brand names Botany Bay, Enhance Your Life and Divinity by Divinity Products Distribution of Grain Valley, MO. The FDA said it has been assessing “adverse event reports” associated with kratom use, including 44 reported deaths.
ORIGINAL POST, FEB. 20
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that an outbreak of illnesses has been linked to Salmonella-tainted kratom, a plant consumed for its stimulant effects and as an opioid substitute.
Twenty-eight people in 20 states have been infected, and 11 of them have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported, and no products have been recalled.
The CDC points to epidemiologic evidence indicating that kratom is the likely source of the multi-state outbreak. In addition:
- Those sickened report consuming kratom in pills, powder, or tea.
- No common brands or suppliers of kratom products have been identified.
- Because no common source of Salmonella-tainted kratom has been identified, the CDC advises to avoid consuming kratom in any form.
Salmonella-tainted kratom:
What is kratom?
Kratom is a tropical tree in Southeast Asia. The leaves of the kratom tree have been used to relieve pain for centuries. They can be eaten raw, but more often they are crushed and brewed as tea or turned into capsules, tablets, and liquids.
In low doses, kratom acts as a stimulant. In larger amounts, it acts as a sedative, and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) said it can lead to psychotic symptoms and psychological addiction.
According to the CDC, about 42 percent of cases of kratom use reported between 2010 and 2015 required treatment, although they involved non-life-threatening symptoms. About 7 percent of exposures were classified as major and life-threatening. The DEA reports that there were 15 kratom-related deaths between 2014 and 2016.
Kratom is also called Thang, Kakuam, Thom, Ketom, and Biak. Advocates say kratom offers relief from pain, depression, and anxiety. Scientists say it could be the key to treating chronic pain and could even be used to combat addiction to opioids.
The DEA, however, had moved to ban the sale of kratom as of last Sept. 30, citing an “imminent hazard to public safety.” The DEA had announced it would make kratom a Schedule 1 drug – putting it in a category with heroin, LSD, marijuana, and ecstasy.
That decision was delayed after members of Congress urged the DEA to delay the ban and give the public a chance to comment.
Salmonella-tainted kratom:
What is Salmonella?
Salmonella bacteria are responsible for as many as 1 million illnesses in the U.S. yearly, according to the CDC. The bacteria produce salmonellosis, which affects the intestinal tract.
Salmonellosis can develop anywhere from 12 hours to three days after consumption of products contaminated with Salmonella. Symptoms, which might last up to a week, can include:
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- fever
- vomiting
- chills.
Most people recover without treatment, but sometimes the diarrhea can be so severe that hospitalization is required.
The CDC estimates that of those 1 million annual cases of infection, 19,000 victims require hospitalization, and approximately 380 of them will die.
People most at risk for complications are children under 5, pregnant women, senior citizens, and those with weakened immune systems.
Salmonella-tainted kratom:
What are the complications?
Complications from salmonellosis can occur when the Salmonella bacteria enter the bloodstream. Complications can produce conditions such as:
- Meningitis, which is inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining, usually involving the heart valves.
- Osteomyelitis, an inflammation of bones that usually targets the legs, arms, or spine.
- Reactive arthritis (also known as Reiter’s syndrome), a form of inflammatory arthritis that develops in response to a Salmonella infection in another part of the body.
In addition, pregnant women are at a higher risk for contracting salmonellosis because their immune systems are suppressed due to hormonal changes. A pregnant woman who becomes ill from Salmonella can experience a miscarriage, premature labor, or even stillbirth.