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Communicable Diseases in the News
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The Diseases in the News page has information and links for certain communicable diseases
that have recently been in the news:
April 2013: Bats and Rabies
The arrival of warmer weather means bats will be coming out of hibernation. There are a number of diseases that a small proportion of bats carry that can be transmitted to people including rabies. The Saint Louis County Department of Health wants to remind residents to take caution when bats are near.
For more information, visit the following link:
August 2012: Pertussis Information
With the start of the new school year approaching, the Saint Louis County Department of Health is urging parents to take steps to reduce the chances of their children getting pertussis. Also known as known as “whooping cough,” pertussis primarily strikes children and is highly contagious. The health department is tracking an increase in the number of cases in 2012. Of the 164 cases among county residents this year, 59 have been reported since June 1st. This is elevated compared to the same time period during the last five years. Infants (<1 year old) and 10- to 17-year-olds are the most affected age groups.
For more information, visit the links below:
November 2010: Pertussis Information
Reported numbers of Pertussis cases in Missouri have increased during 2010. Through November 13, a total of 426 confirmed and probable Pertussis cases have been reported statewide, representing a 32.7% increase above the 5-year median for this time period. The largest numbers of reported cases in 2010 have been from St. Louis County, where 126 confirmed and probable cases have been identified through November 13. For more information, visit the links below:
August 2010: Cryptosporidiosis (Crypto) Information
The Saint Louis County Department of Health is experiencing a significant increase in reported cases of a diarrheal illness called cryptosporidiosis (crypto).
In the past week, 18 new cases of crypto have been identified. Of these, six are laboratory confirmed. The rest have occurred among persons with symptoms who have close ties to confirmed cases. So far this year, there have been 56 identified cases compared to 10 cases during the same period last year. For more information, visit the links below:
August 2009: Pneumococcal Vaccine
The 2009-2010 flu season may be more severe than usual, especially given the continued presence of the new H1N1 virus (sometimes called “swine flu”). In order to reduce the risk of flu-related complications this season, the Saint Louis County Department of Health is urging certain residents to get a pneumonia vaccination. To view the press release, or to learn more about the pneumococcal vaccine or the flu, visit the links below:
July 2009: Shigella Information
The Saint Louis County Department of Health is currently investigating shigellosis outbreaks in two daycare centers. Twenty-five (25) cases have been reported to the health department over the past two weeks. For more information, visit the links below:
June 2009: Cookie Dough Recall
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have both issued warnings cautioning consumers not to eat any varieties of prepackaged Nestlé® Toll House refrigerated cookie dough due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7 (a bacterium that causes food borne illness). Nestlé® has voluntarily issued a recall of all affected varieties. For more information, visit the links below:
June 2009: Influenza in Summer Camps
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued recommendations for addressing influenza in summer camps in light of the new H1N1 flu virus. To view the CDC's recommendations for handing human cases of the new H1N1 flu at summer camps, visit the link below:
Please also note the following:
Reducing the Risk of Introducing the New H1N1 Virus into the Camp Setting
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Provide camp attendees, staff, and volunteers with materials prior to arrival at the camp to notify them that they are not allowed to attend camp if they have had an influenza-like illness in the seven (7) days prior to the start of camp. In addition, they should be reminded that if they have been exposed to a person with new H1N1 or an influenza-like illness in the seven (7) days prior to the start of camp, they may attend camp, but should closely self-monitor and report the development of influenza-like symptoms immediately.
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Consider active screening of ALL newly arriving camp attendees, staff, and volunteers by asking if they have had any influenza-like symptoms in the previous seven (7) days.
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Provide education to individual campers about reporting influenza-like illnesses. A careful health history of each arriving camper should be taken. Note any conditions that may place them at high risk for complications of influenza.
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Camp attendees, staff, and volunteers should be instructed to immediately inform camp management if they currently have or have had an influenza-like illness in the seven (7) days prior to arrival.
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Persons who currently have or have had an influenza-like illness in the previous seven (7) days should not attend camp for seven (7) days after their symptoms began, or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours – whichever is longer.
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For a complete listing of communicable diseases and fact sheets, please visit the US CDC's
"Health Topics A to Z"