WA Child E. coli Case Prompts Alert to Parents
A Clark County, Washington, E. coli alert is active for parents in the west Hazel Dell area whose kids used the play area at Lake Shore Athletic Club between July 10 and August 4.
Dr. Alan Melnick, the county’s top public health official, said the warning stems from a child who played there while possibly contagious with E. coli O157:H7. Melnick told The Columbian newspaper in Vancouver, Washington, that affected parents should watch their children for symptoms and see a doctor immediately for a stool culture.
E. coli O157:H7 is a bacterial infection that can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea that may be bloody. Fever is usually mild or nonexistent.
Health officials in the Vancouver area have already seen one E. coli death this year. The deceased 4-year-old Hazel Dell boy contracted E. coli at his day care. A doctor initially thought the boy had the flu because he did not have bloody diarrhea.
According to the newspaper, the athletic club has voluntarily closed the play area. It will reportedly be disinfected and remain closed until the health department determines there’s no risk for exposure.
Melnick said the original source of infection in the sick child is not known and that the child is doing OK. Health department officials are using attendance records from the athletic club to contact as many families as possible who might be at risk.
E. coli O157:H7 is a dangerous pathogen that can sicken people when it contaminates food or water. It grows benignly in the guts of cattle and is expelled through their feces. Once infected, people can spread the organism through their hands after going to the bathroom or diapering a child. Thorough hand washing is important in stopping the spread of E. coli.
Tags: Daycare E coli, E. coli O157:H7
