Holiday Weekend Tips On Preventing Foodborne And Waterborne Illness

As the Hays County Local Health Department sees an increase in gastrointestinal (GI) illness symptoms being reported in the county, we are encouraging residents to implement measures to control and prevent the spread of infection-causing microbes. Common symptoms of GI illness that can occur within a few hours to a few days include:

• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramping/pain
• Nausea
• Fatigue

GI illness can be caused by eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, consuming unpasteurized dairy products, bacteria on the hands of infected individuals being spread to other people, and direct contact with infected animals. Common pathogens that cause GI illness include salmonella, campylobacter, and shigella.

Schools/Daycares

• Parents of children/teens that are showing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea should keep them home until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hrs. School nurses should be made aware of foodborne illness symptoms that may affect other students.
• School and daycare staff should make sure to disinfect high-touch surfaces such as desks and door knobs, as well as items that are shared between children.
• Students and daycare attendees should consistently be encouraged to wash their hands and/or use hand sanitizer before eating, after using the restroom, and before/after engaging in activities involving person-to-person contact. Supervision may be required for young children.
• Children should not participate in recreational water activities such as swimming, if they have had diarrhea within the past 7 days.

Adults

• If showing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea then stay home until symptom-free for at least 24 hrs. This is especially important if working in food service, healthcare, or school/daycare settings.
• Wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer before eating, after using the restroom, and before/after engaging in activities involving person-to- person contact. Additionally, wash hands before/after preparing or serving food.
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces and items in homes as well as workplaces. Additionally, disinfect diaper-changing areas/wash hands.

Do not participate in recreational water activities such as swimming, if you have had diarrhea within the past 7 days. Do not change diapers near pools or other recreational bodies of water.