Bacterial illness hits central Ohio day care centers
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Posted: 10/03/2012
COLUMBUS, Ohio - A bacterial illness is plaguing day-care centers in central Ohio, and health officials warn it could spread if parents aren't vigilant.
The Columbus Dispatch ( http://bit.ly/Ubj1zl ) reports Wednesday that the number of reported cases of shigella more than doubled in September in Franklin County, which includes Columbus. There have been 435 cases, compared with reported numbers in the teens the past two years.
The disease causes diarrhea and is easily spread if care isn't taken when changing diapers, preparing food and cleaning up after bathroom breaks.
Dr. Mysheika Roberts, Columbus Public Health's medical director, says there have been confirmed cases of shigella at 30 day-care centers in the city this year.
Public-health workers have visited more than 200 day-care centers since the outbreak started to remind them of preventative measures.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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