When clinical microbiologists Jhoanna Aquino and Beth Ingal isolated the first case of salmonella in early March, neither of them noted anything remarkable, but, following procedure, Aquino reported it to Alamosa County Nursing and epidemiologist Bill Brinton, M.D. The sample was then sent to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for further confirmation and typing. The next day, Aquino identified another positive salmonella specimen in the lab.

Alamosa officials are still waiting for a green light from the state to permit unrestricted use of city water. It may be a matter of weeks before the city gets a handle on the costs of the salmonella outbreak, but it may be only days before water restrictions are lifted. Alamosa's water supply could be fit to drink as soon as midweek, said city clerk Judy Egbert.