Public Health Advisory
Conference Attendees Report Illness
March 1, 2004
As published in the Galveston Daily News
03/04/04
La Marque Last night the Galveston County Health
District received a report of an outbreak of gastroenteritis
among attendees at a conference recently held in Galveston.
As of March 1, thirty seven (37) cases of
diarrhea and vomiting have been reported to Chuck Chambers,
Epidemiologist with the Galveston County Health District.
One person attending the conference is currently hospitalized.
No deaths have been reported. The Health District is initiating
an investigation to determine onset of illness, possible sources,
and to identify a possible causative agent. Environmental
inspectors are investigating possible sources of food contamination.
Participants at the conference came from several
different states. Individuals who attended the conference
and became ill with diarrhea and vomiting are advised to contact
the Galveston County Health District's Epidemiology Department
at (409) 765-2514.
The Health District recommends that ill individuals
seek care with their healthcare provider who may treat symptoms
as well as order a stool culture to help determine the cause
of the outbreak. Ill persons are reminded to practice very
good hand washing, especially after using the toilet and before
handling food.
For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org
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