PIERRE, S.D. – The Department of Health is investigating a suspect food borne outbreak linked to a Tuesday evening basketball game in Pierre between Pierre and Mitchell. Approximately 50 people have been reported ill with a diarrheal illness. The illness appears to be of short duration.
In coordination with the school, the department is working to collect food histories from individuals and will be testing stool samples to identify an organism. It has also been in contact with the Mitchell school district.
An electronic food borne Illness questionnaire is being distributed today in the Pierre high school and middle school for staff and students. The questionnaire is intended to get a clear picture of how many people are ill, how severe the illness is and how long it lasts, the incubation period and the potential food source. Individuals who are not part of the school system are also encouraged to complete the questionnaire at the department’s website, doh.sd.gov.
No food from the event has been submitted for testing.
In 2011, South Dakota reported nearly 500 cases of food borne illness such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. There were also cases of another food borne illness, Norovirus, which is not reportable.
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Posted on February 5, 2012 by foodsafeguru
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