KGMI News

BELLIGHAM, Wash. – A Whatcom County man in his 20’s is among people sickened by salmonella linked to a substance called Kratom.

The state Department of Health says 10 people in Washington have fallen ill after ingesting Kratom.

Most didn’t require hospitalization but four people did.

In all, 87 people in 35 states have been sickened.

Kratom is derived from the leaves of a plant from the coffee family that’s native to Southeast Asia.

It has stimulant effects and some people use it as an opioid substitute.

It is not regulated or safety-tested by any U.S. government agency.