Wyoming health officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak that may be linked to a restaurant, according to an article in the Billings Gazette

The Wyoming Health Department announced Thursday that it had confirmed seven cases of salmonella since early April. The state Agriculture Department and local public health officials also are participating in the investigation.

An isolated case in February appears to be unrelated to the current outbreak, the Health Department said.

"We are looking into the possibility that a local restaurant may be associated with some of the illnesses," said Dr. Tracy Murphy, state epidemiologist with the Health Department. "We are continuing to closely investigate every salmonella case report we receive to search for any possible risks to public health."

Past Salmonella outbreaks at restaurants have been caused by such food handling errors as cross-contaminating foods, infected food workers practicing improper hygiene, and pooling eggs.  Salmonella outbreaks have also been traced to restaurants serving contaminated produce.  Click here for more information about prior Salmonella outbreaks.