South Dakota Outbreak Sickens 50
The South Dakota Department of Health is investigating a suspected foodborne illness outbreak linked to a Tuesday night high school basketball game in Pierre that has sickened at least 50 people.
Health and school officials are collecting food histories from individuals and will be testing stool samples to identify an organism. An electronic questionnaire has been distributed to Pierre high school and middle school staff and students.
With information from the questionnaires, health officials hope to get a better idea of how many people are ill, how severe the illness is and how long it lasts, the incubation period and the potential food source. Individuals who are not part of the school system are also encouraged to complete the questionnaire at the department’s website, doh.sd.gov. So far, no food from the event has been submitted for testing.
Signs and symptoms of foodborne illness can include mild or severe diarrhea, fever, vomiting and abdominal pain. In 2011, South Dakota reported nearly 500 cases of foodborne illness .
