The Katy Independent School District and Harris County health officials are trying to prevent an intestinal disease from turning into an outbreak at Golbow Elementary School.
Several Golbow students have recently been diagnosed with shigellosis, a bacterial disease that causes diarrhea and other symptoms, said Carolyn S. Fruthaler, chief of Disease Control & Medical Epidemiology for the Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services Department.
In a Tuesday letter to parents of Golbow students, Fruthaler said her department has been working closely with KISD and school officials because “several cases can quickly lead to an explosive outbreak, especially in elementary schools. Although rare, shigellosis can cause very serious illness and hospitalization.”