North Central Health District

NCHD Investigating Houston County Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreak

Posted March 10, 2022 by Michael Hokanson

Houston County Environmental Health and North Central Health District Epidemiologists are investigating cases of gastrointestinal (GI) illness among people who attended the catered State of the Base event held March 1 in Houston County. Commonly reported symptoms linked to the event include vomiting, diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain. 

Please complete the survey for each persons that attended the State of the Base event on Tuesday, March 1, even if they did not become ill. All information provided to public health will remain confidential in accordance with HIPAA. Information will be used to try and determine what could have caused illness by comparing activities between those who became sick and those who did not.

This survey has been closed.

Has the Health Department been notified?

North Central Health District Epidemiologists were notified March 8 of a cluster of gastrointestinal illness among attendees of the State of the Base event.

What is the Health Department Doing Now?

Epidemiologists and Environmental Health Specialists from North Central Health District are working with the event staff of the State of the Base to investigate the cause of illness. We ask that anyone experiencing gastrointestinal illness symptoms complete the survey linked above and below. NCHD staff will be establishing a history for those that feel ill and collecting samples to identify a specific illness.

This survey has been closed.

What are Gastrointestinal Illnesses?

Gastrointestinal (GI) illness is caused by a variety of different disease-causing microbes or germs. There are many different types of GI illnesses with different causes, but most have similar means of transmission and similar symptoms.

How do GI Illnesses Spread?

People can be infected with GI illnesses in a variety of ways, and some GI illnesses spread easier and more rapidly than others. The most common ways GI illnesses spread are:

• Direct contact with an infected person.
• Eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.
• Contact with infected animals or their environments.
• Touching contaminated surfaces then putting unwashed hands in/near your mouth.

What are Symptoms of GI Illnesses?

People infected with a GI illness may experience a variety of symptoms, though some people may not experience any symptoms at all. The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms vary between GI illnesses. The most common symptoms of GI illnesses include:

• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Fever
• Headaches

Preventing GI Illnesses

You can take everyday steps to help reduce your risk of infection of a GI illness:

• Practice proper hand hygiene: wash hands with soap and water.
  • Especially after using the restroom, changing diapers or handling an ill person’s waste.
  • Always before eating, preparing or handling foods.
• Handle and prepare foods safely.
• If you are sick, do not prepare food or care for others.
• Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces.