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FORT HUACHUCA — The Fort Huachuca Daycare Center has reported an increased number of infants and daycare center workers with symptoms of gastrointestinal illness in the past week, according to Maj. Matthew Garner, the post’s public affairs officer.
In a news release Sunday night, Garner also provided the following information:
Symptoms reported include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea and/or fever. Pediatric cases have been reported in children located in the two infant-care rooms only.
Two children who attend the center have tested positive for salmonella infection. Tests are pending for any possibly affected daycare staff.
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Infants and staff who exhibit symptoms have been, and will continue to be, removed from daycare until cleared to return by post health officials.
While care is always used, installation officials have taken extra measures in performing a thorough environmental sanitization of the two infant-care rooms in accordance with public health standards.
Another safety measure by post health officials and commanders is taking today as a stand-down day for infant care to look closely at operations there. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have a team in Sierra Vista now looking at a cluster of salmonella infections in the greater Sierra Vista over the last four months. The CDC will participate in the safety stand-down today.
“The safety of children entrusted to our care is of the greatest concern and we are doing all we can to ensure their well being,” Garner said.
Salmonella is a bacterial infection that is typically acquired by eating infected food sources. The bacteria may also be acquired through infected water sources, through close contact with infected individuals, and from handling infected animals. The typical incubation period (time from infection to onset of symptoms) for salmonella infections is 6-72 hours, with most presenting symptoms between 12-36 hours. Most infections are mild and may show symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or fever. Most symptoms resolve on their own within a week and may not require specific medical therapy. Individuals with weakened immune systems may require more intensive treatment.
While this latest episode of diarrhea and salmonella appears to be confined, health officials encourage all community members to practice good hygiene by washing hands, especially after using the bathroom, handling soiled diapers and handling raw meats. To prevent cross-contamination of raw meat, clean hands and surfaces before handling other foods. Individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms should contact their healthcare provider to be further evaluated.
The Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center is working closely with post officials and local and state health authorities to ensure appropriate control measures are implemented. In addition, RWBAHC is working closely with an investigation team from the CDC that recently arrived in Sierra Vista to assist local civilian health authorities with the larger cluster of salmonella cases in the Sierra Vista community.
All parents who use post daycare services are receiving an information sheet this morning and post preventive medicine personnel will be at the Child Development Center to discuss questions and concerns. Any children showing signs of gastrointestinal infection will be sent to RWBAHC for screening and then on to their health-care provider as necessary.
Fort Huachuca leaders are constantly evaluating all information for any further measures that might need to be implemented.
Information provided by Maj. Matthew Garner of Fort Huachuca’s public affairs office.
Ezai I. Martinez wrote on Jun 24, 2009 7:58 PM: