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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Eight Outbreaks of Norovirus - the Winter Vomiting Bug - Reported in St. Louis County

Some of the virus' common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains.

Although the flu is on everyone’s minds this season, the winter vomiting bug, or the norovirus, is making its rounds. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the norovirus causes about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths each year, mostly in young children and the elderly. Some of the virus' common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains. The CDC points out that the norovirus is often referred to as thestomach flu, but it is unrelated to influenza. According to St. Louis County Health Department Spokesman John Shelton, there are eight outbreaks of the norovirus in the St. Louis County area. Shelton points out that an outbreak can be just five cases of a less common disease, like …

Friday, October 28, 2011

Federal Case: Investigators Join County Health Over Stall On E.Coli Source

Schnucks steps up to aid investigation; other stores await specifics.

The St. Louis County Department of Health is investigating an E. coli outbreak. At least 23 cases of the bacteria were reported this week, health officials said Friday. No source has yet been identified for the 1057 E.coli strain, so Federal health investigators came into St. Louis Friday to work on uncovering the source. According to Health Department Spokesperson John Shelton, the bacteria is food-borne. Local salad bars were under investigation. Shelton said Thursday that six people have been hospitalized and treated at Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur. The bacteria has a 10-day incubation period—until the symptoms kick in after exposure to it. The cases are spread out from Florissant to South County, but the County did not give any …

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