For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian Wells (618) 244-7134
Email: bdwells@jchdil.org
April 15, 2014
Mt. Vernon- Health Department
Conducting Investigations
The
Jefferson County Health Department is conducting an ongoing investigation into
a possible food borne illness outbreak.
The health department first started receiving phone calls on April 8th
about individuals who were reporting symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea,
headaches and low grade fever.
Approximately
90 people ate brunch prepared by Krieger’s Sports Bar at the Holiday Inn on
Sunday, April 6th from 11 am – 2 pm. To date there have been
interviews conducted with 34 people. These individuals did eat at this same
food establishment on Sunday, April 6th from 11am – 2 pm. Of the 34 people interviewed about this
possible food borne illness outbreak, it was determined that there were 21
sickened and 13 reported no symptoms of illness. Six people presented to the ER for treatment
and two were hospitalized.
Some
of the people who came down with symptoms on Tuesday had visited relatives away
from Mt. Vernon and those family members also become ill later in the week.
The
health department has received one confirmed lab result of norovirus on Monday,
April 14th. Other lab specimens sent for
testing are pending results. Noroviruses
are a group of related viruses that affect the intestinal tract causing
gastroenteritis illness. The U. S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least half of all
foodborne outbreaks of gastroenteritis can be attributed to noroviruses. Some studies indicate that more than 60% of
the U. S. population is exposed to one or more of these viruses by the age of
50. Noroviruses are highly contagious
and can spread easily from person to person.
Many
of the noroviruses cause similar symptoms that usually occur between 24 hours
and 48 hours after exposure. They
include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, body aches, headache,
tiredness and low-grade fever. Symptoms
typically last 24 hours to 60 hours and subside on their own. There are no known long-term effects after
recovery from this infection. It appears
that immunity following norovirus infection varies from person to person. It is possible some persons achieve immunity
but more studies are needed to better understand susceptibility to reinfection.
Humans
are the only source for these viruses.
When an infected person who did not wash hands thoroughly after
toileting handles food that is not later cooked, others who eat the food can
become infected. These viruses also are
transmitted readily from person to person when hands are not washed after
toileting. People can also be infected by drinking water contaminated by sewage
containing one of these viruses or by consuming ice made from contaminated
water. Unless thoroughly cooked,
shellfish such as oysters harvested from waters containing sewage can transmit
the viruses. There is some evidence that
the viruses can be transmitted by aerosolized vomitus or contact with objects
contaminated with fecal material.
Everyone
can decrease their chance of coming in contact with noroviruses by following
these preventive steps:
*Frequently
wash your hands, especially after toileting or changing diapers before eating
or preparing food.
*Carefully
wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating them.
*Thoroughly
clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of
diarrhea or vomiting by using a bleach-based household cleaner. If using liquid household bleach prepared
daily, one part bleach to nine parts water (1:10 dilution) is recommended.
*Immediately
remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with feces or
vomitus (use hot water and soap)
*Flush
or discard any vomitus and/or stool in the toilet and make sure that the
surrounding area is kept clean.
*Persons
who are infected with norovirus should refrain from food preparation while they
have symptoms and for three days after they recover from their illness.
The
health department will continue its investigation and if new information
becomes available, will update the local media with a press release.
For
more information, please call the health department at 618-244-7134 or visit www.jeffcohealth.blogspot.com
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