By Times staff
MONROE - A fourth case of E. coli 0157 infection among students at Abraham Lincoln Accelerated Learning Academy in Monroe appears to have surfaced this week. In addition to the cases in children, a case of E. coli 0157 infection was confirmed in an adult who had household contact with another confirmed case, bringing the total to five cases since Oct. 2.
The outbreak comes just weeks after an initial rash of nine cases of E. coli infection in Green County from mid August to early September. Most of those cases involved children under 7; one 20-month-old child died as a result of complications from E. coli infection. Tests show the recently confirmed cases are from the same genetic strain as the July-August cases.
On Friday, the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene reported that screening for E. coli "identified a presumptive fourth case" in an Abe Lincoln student, Green County Health Department director RoAnn Warden said in a statement early Friday evening. Confirmation and genetic testing on that case is pending.
On Friday, Oct. 14, the Monroe school district and health department urged parents of Abe Lincoln 4K and kindergarten students to submit a stool sample to see if they carried the E. coli bacteria. At that time, two 4K and kindergarten students were confirmed to have E. coli.
But on Thursday, Oct. 20, in the wake of a third confirmed case, school and health officials changed the recommendation to a requirement: All Abe Lincoln 4K and kindergarten students must submit a stool sample by 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, or they will not be allowed to attend school on Tuesday, Oct. 25.
"This effort helps to ensure that the bacterium is not being spread among children at the school," Warden said.
While E. coli often produces bloody diarrhea and severe stomach pain, not all cases are that dramatic. Warden said among the four most recently confirmed cases, two individuals had mild or no symptoms and neither of the two newest cases were hospitalized.
Free stool test kits have been available through school and Green County Health Department. The health department, located in the Pleasant View Complex at N3150 Wisconsin 81, will also be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. Test kits can be returned to the health department during this hours.
The health department also recommends children who are having symptoms of diarrhea (three or more stools during a 24-hour period), stomach cramps or vomiting should see a health care provider and have stools tested for E. coli O157.
"We ask that you keep any child who is experiencing symptoms home from school and daycare until their stool test results are known and wash hands thoroughly," she said.
In addition to testing students, the school district has implemented more vigorous cleaning and sanitizing practices inside the schools and on the buses. Abe Lincoln custodial staff disinfected the 4K and kindergarten classrooms, as well as common areas, last weekend. More information is available at www.monroeschools. com.
MONROE - A fourth case of E. coli 0157 infection among students at Abraham Lincoln Accelerated Learning Academy in Monroe appears to have surfaced this week. In addition to the cases in children, a case of E. coli 0157 infection was confirmed in an adult who had household contact with another confirmed case, bringing the total to five cases since Oct. 2.
The outbreak comes just weeks after an initial rash of nine cases of E. coli infection in Green County from mid August to early September. Most of those cases involved children under 7; one 20-month-old child died as a result of complications from E. coli infection. Tests show the recently confirmed cases are from the same genetic strain as the July-August cases.
On Friday, the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene reported that screening for E. coli "identified a presumptive fourth case" in an Abe Lincoln student, Green County Health Department director RoAnn Warden said in a statement early Friday evening. Confirmation and genetic testing on that case is pending.
On Friday, Oct. 14, the Monroe school district and health department urged parents of Abe Lincoln 4K and kindergarten students to submit a stool sample to see if they carried the E. coli bacteria. At that time, two 4K and kindergarten students were confirmed to have E. coli.
But on Thursday, Oct. 20, in the wake of a third confirmed case, school and health officials changed the recommendation to a requirement: All Abe Lincoln 4K and kindergarten students must submit a stool sample by 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, or they will not be allowed to attend school on Tuesday, Oct. 25.
"This effort helps to ensure that the bacterium is not being spread among children at the school," Warden said.
While E. coli often produces bloody diarrhea and severe stomach pain, not all cases are that dramatic. Warden said among the four most recently confirmed cases, two individuals had mild or no symptoms and neither of the two newest cases were hospitalized.
Free stool test kits have been available through school and Green County Health Department. The health department, located in the Pleasant View Complex at N3150 Wisconsin 81, will also be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. Test kits can be returned to the health department during this hours.
The health department also recommends children who are having symptoms of diarrhea (three or more stools during a 24-hour period), stomach cramps or vomiting should see a health care provider and have stools tested for E. coli O157.
"We ask that you keep any child who is experiencing symptoms home from school and daycare until their stool test results are known and wash hands thoroughly," she said.
In addition to testing students, the school district has implemented more vigorous cleaning and sanitizing practices inside the schools and on the buses. Abe Lincoln custodial staff disinfected the 4K and kindergarten classrooms, as well as common areas, last weekend. More information is available at www.monroeschools. com.