Press Release for Gastrointestinal Outbreak (Seneca Lake, NY)

["Shannon Briggs" <briggssl@michigan.gov>]

The press releases and the precautions issued to the public may serve as an example for other health departments if an outbreak occurs.  Additional press releases on this topic and attachments are available at http://www.health.state.ny.us/press/releases/2005/

September 1, 2005
State Health Department Issues Precautions Schools Should Take to Prevent Spread of Gastrointestinal Illness
State Health Department Issues Update on Seneca Lake State Park Gastrointestinal Outbreak
http://www.health.state.ny.us/press/releases/2005/2005-09-01_school_precautions_seneca_lake_release.htm

August 26, 2005
State Health Department, Office of State Parks Issue Update on Seneca Lake State Park Gastrointestinal Outbreak
State Reinforces Precautions Public Should Take to Prevent Spread of Gastrointestinal Illness
http://www.health.state.ny.us/press/releases/2005/2005-08-26_seneca_release.htm

New York State
State Department of Health
Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H.
Commissioner
Contact: William C. Van Slyke
(518) 474-7354

New York State
State Office of Parks, Recreation
and Historic Preservation
Bernadette Castro
Commissioner
Contact: Wendy Gibson
(518) 486-1868

ALBANY, NY, August 26, 2005 - State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H. and State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro today issued an update concerning the gastrointestinal illness which has been linked to the spray park attraction at Seneca Lake State Park. The State's investigation is ongoing.

The number of reported illnesses possibly linked to the park is now 3,297 cases in thirty-three counties, prompting the commissioners to again stress precautionary measures people should take to keep the illness from spreading further. The cases have been reported by the following counties: Albany (3); Allegany (9); Cattaraugus (2); Cayuga (164); Chautauqua (2); Chemung (17); Cortland (6); Delaware (8); Erie (9); Genesee (13); Herkimer (1); Jefferson (4); Livingston (77); Madison (4); Monroe (367); Niagara (8); Oneida (8); Onondaga (132); Ontario (1022); Orleans (12); Oswego (12); Otsego (3); Rensselaer (7); Saratoga (3), Schuyler (13); Seneca (417); Steuben (7); Sullivan (1); Tioga (3); Tompkins (62); Wayne (683); Wyoming (2); and Yates (216).

The most common symptoms reported are diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, headache and loss of appetite. There have been 415 confirmed cases of cryptosporidium reported to the State Health Department to date.

The following precautions should be taken by the public to prevent further spread of illness from this outbreak. These precautions also apply to the general public, particularly in light of the upcoming Labor Day weekend.

General Public:
To help prevent the spread of illness, individuals who are experiencing gastrointestinal illness should not swim while they are sick and for two weeks after symptoms subside. 
People should take action to minimize the chances of acquiring and spreading gastrointestinal illnesses, including thoroughly washing hands after using the toilet, changing diapers or coming in contact with fecal material in any way. Also, swimmers should avoid swallowing water wherever they are swimming, but especially in lakes, ponds or rivers.  
Health care staff and food workers who are experiencing gastrointestinal illness should notify their employer. They should not have patient contact or work in food service until they have recovered and been cleared for return by their employer or the local health department. 
Children and staff who work in child day care centers who have stomach/intestinal illness should refrain from attending day care. Day care centers should consult with their local health department for recommendations on the timing for return to the day care setting. Children should not be transferred to another day care center. 
Patrons at Spray Park Attractions, Swimming Pools and Bathing Beaches:
Patrons should always practice good hygiene. It is important to shower before swimming or using spray park features and always wash hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on one's body may get into the water. 
Patrons should never drink the water when swimming or using spray park features and should avoid getting water in their mouths to prevent potential illness. It is important to note that water at most spray parks is recycled and should not be consumed. 
Patrons must never use spray park features, swimming pools or beaches when they have diarrhea. This is especially important for infants and toddlers in diapers. This may spread germs in the water and make other people sick. 
Patrons with children should take them for bathroom breaks and/or check their diapers often. Children's diapers should be changed in a bathroom and not near spray park features, swimming pools or beach areas to prevent the spread of germs and illness. 
Persons who visited the Seneca Lake State Park or family members and/or close contacts of ill individuals who visited the park since late July and are experiencing gastrointestinal illness should contact their medical provider and their local health department (phone numbers below).

Albany 518-447-4691 
Allegany 585-268-9250 
Cattaraugus 716-373-8050 
Chautauqua 716-753-4314 
Cayuga 315-253-1560 
Chemung 607-737-2028 
Cortland 607-753-5036 
Delaware 607-746-3166 
Erie 716-858-7697 
Genesee 585-344-2580 
Herkimer 315-867-1176 
Jefferson 315-786-3720 
Livingston 585-243-7270 
Madison 315-366-2361 
Monroe 585-274-6079 
Niagara 716-439-7430 
Oneida 315-798-6400 
Onondaga 315-435-3236 
Ontario 585-396-4343 
Orleans 585-589-3278 
Oswego 315-349-3539 
Otsego 607-547-6458 
Rensselear 518-270-2626 
Saratoga 518-584-7460 
Schuyler 607-535-8140 
Seneca 315-539-1920 
Steuben 607-664-2438 
Sullivan 845-292-0100 
Tioga 607-687-8600 
Tompkins 607-274-6604 
Wayne 315-946-5749 
Wyoming 585-786-8890 
Yates 315-536-5160 


Attachments:
Cryptosporidium Infection Fact Sheet - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PDF, 70KB, 4pg.) 
Children's Camp Operator Letter (PDF, 27KB, 2pg.) 
Child Day Care Center Director Letter (PDF, 29KB, 2pg.) 
Food Service Manager Health Notice (PDF, 21KB, 1pg.) 
Health Advisory Update: Gastrointestinal Illness Linked to the Spray Grounds at Seneca Lake State Park (PDF, 38KB, 3pg.) 

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