The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) and Huntley Community School District 158 announced the investigation of a recent outbreak of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC) at Huntley High School. There have been six confirmed cases of STEC, all involving students. The initial case was detected on
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Sunday, September 17. To date, the origin of the illnesses is unknown. The MCDH is overseeing the situation for potential cases; no other STEC cases are known in McHenry County outside of this outbreak.
Officials from Huntley High School are collaborating with the MCDH, continuing their examination of possible exposures both inside and outside the school, since the source of the outbreak remains unidentified. Due to E. coli's highly contagious characteristics, students are urged to wash their hands regularly. The school has also adopted preemptive steps to maintain a secure environment, such as displaying handwashing signs around the school and installing hand sanitizer stations in every classroom and communal area.
To prevent and stop the spread of infection, the MCDH recommends washing hands with soap and water when preparing and eating food, having contact with animals or their environment, and after bathroom use or changing a diaper; avoiding swallowing water from ponds, lakes, and untreated swimming pools; and washing and cooking foods properly and avoid unpasteurized (raw) dairy products and juices. Those infected should not handle, prepare, or cook food for others until 48 hours after symptoms have resolved.
In case you are experiencing E. coli symptoms such as watery diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting; stomach cramps; and mild fever, it is important to report it. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.
Source:
www.mchenrycountyil.gov
