March 27, 2024 - In February of 2024, Oak Park public health officials identified and responded to two significant gastrointestinal illness outbreaks in our community. Between February 8 and February 24, more than 140 students at a local school, and 16 people in a local long-term care facility, reported symptoms consistent with acute gastroenteritis. In response, Oak Park Public Health staff conducted inspections of the kitchens at the affected facilities, interviewed food handlers, provided guidance to facility staff on proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures, disseminated information on mitigation, closely monitored and remained in contact with staff regarding new cases, and sent messages to the community via the Village website and social media.
Learn more about the cases, response and protecting yourself and your loved ones in the updated outbreak report here: Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreak Update
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Feb. 9, 2024 - The Village of Oak Park Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health are monitoring suspected cases of Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) within the local community, including area schools. Symptoms may be related to a virus, bacteria or parasite. If it is a virus, then it will usually spread quickly from person to person.
On Feb. 8, the Health Department began receiving reports of a large number of people exhibiting symptoms of vomiting, fever and malaise. If you, or a member of your household, has experienced any of these symptoms since Feb. 6, please contact the Village's epidemiologist Emma Betancourt at 708.358.5492 or via email at health@oak-park.us. Knowing if you are part of the recent outbreak and possible exposures will help the Health Department identify the source and prevent others from becoming ill.
Acute gastroenteritis can cause a range of symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping. Fever, headache, and body aches may also be reported. Dehydration (lack of fluids in the body) can follow these symptoms. Dehydration can cause drowsiness, irritability, thirst, pale color to skin and/or eyes that appear sunken.
Typically, AGE is spread by person-to-person contact, consuming contaminated food or water, by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces, or by tiny particles in vomit spread through the air that land on surfaces or enter a person’s mouth.
Those who are ill should stay at home from work, school or daycare while experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. Other prevention measures include proper hand washing (20 seconds or more with warm water and soap) before eating, after toileting and after diapering, as well as throughout the day when hands become soiled. Those with symptoms of AGE should also not share food, cook, or prepare meals for others.
If a child develops symptoms consistent with those listed above, please inform the facility regarding this illness and keep the child at home until 24 hours after vomiting and diarrhea have resolved. Contact your health care provider with any questions about your child’s health.
If you have questions about this situation, please contact the Oak Park Department of Public Health at 708-358-5480.