July 2006

Grand Forks Herald
Jul. 27, 2006
* Do not swim if you have diarrhea. This is especially important for children in diapers.
* Avoid drinking water in lakes and in swimming pools.
* Practice good hygiene. Shower before and after swimming in lakes and in swimming pools.
* Wash hands with soap frequently and thoroughly,…

Dan Rahn of the University of Georgia writes about dangers that can lurk in recreational swimming water:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recreational water illnesses can spread quickly in swimming pools that arenít properly maintained.
Serious diseases caused by such bacteria as cryptospordidum, giardia, E. coli and shigella can be contracted…

Grand Forks Herald (North Dakota)
Susanne Nadeau
North Dakota’s state health department has confirmed 13 shigellosis cases in Rolette County, the first cluster of cases the state has seen for a few years, officials said.
“This does not happen very often at all,” said state epidemiologist Julie Goplin.
But, when it does, it can infect an entire community, she said.
“It becomes community wide if the public isn’t taking special care, then it can last for months,” she said.Continue Reading Health dept. finds shigellosis cases: Rare disease infects 13

26.jul.06
The Galveston County Daily News (TX)
Sally Robinson and Keith Bly
When people think of risks associated with swimming, they usually think of sunburns or drownings. Most swimmers donít realize that the water itself can make them sick.
Recreational water illnesses (RWIís) are spread by swallowing, breathing or coming in contact with water that has been contaminated in swimming pools or hot tubs, and at water parks, lakes, rivers or oceans.
Symptoms of RWIís include skin, ear, respiratory, eye and wound infections. The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea, which is caused by germs such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Shingella and E. coli. If contaminated water is swallowed, a person may become sick; many diarrhea-causing germs do not have to be swallowed in large amounts to make a person ill.Continue Reading Importance of healthy swimming behavior

Associated Press
BISMARCK, N.D. – Thirteen cases of the intestinal disease shigellosis have been confirmed in Rollette County this month, state health officials said.
State epidemiologist Kirby Kruger said 12 of the cases involve children, and six people have been hospitalized.
Kruger said five additional cases are pending laboratory confirmation.
Shigellosis is caused by shigella bacteria, which are spread through undercooked or contaminated food and poor hygiene. The illness can cause bloody diarrhea, fever, vomiting and stomach cramps. Typical treatment is fluids and antibiotics.Continue Reading Rollette County reports outbreak of diarrhea-causing bacteria

Michael Kiefer
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 30, 2006 12:00 AM
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office on Thursday filed criminal complaints of failure to meet health code standards against an Asian supermarket and two Mexican restaurants, including a popular Central Phoenix eatery.
“Establishments that ignore repeated warnings and citations for food safety violations need to understand they will now face criminal charges for endangering the public,” County Attorney Andrew Thomas said. “Repeat violators literally make us sick.”
County investigators targeted Ajo Al’s at 5101 N. 16th St. after several customers came down with a food-borne illness called shigellosis. The illness, which has symptoms including diarrhea and fever, can be spread by food handlers who don’t wash their hands.Continue Reading 3 restaurants hit with criminal charges

Algonquin Countryside
July 6, 2006
McHenry County Department of Health has joined with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to remind families of the importance of healthy swimming behaviors.
Recreation water illnesses are spread by swallowing, breathing or having contact with contaminated water. The most commonly reported recreation water illness is diarrhea caused by pathogens, such as E. coli, shigella, giardia and cryptosporidium. Children, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems are at greatest risk for infection from these pathogens. Other recreation water illnesses can cause various symptoms, including skin, ear, eye, respiratory and neurological infections.
The county Health Department samples beaches and public pools during the summer months to monitor bacterial levels and will continue testing the 39 beaches in the county through Labor Day to assess water quality.Continue Reading Keep clean, safe at area beaches