South Bass Island Gastrointestinal Illness
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH), working along with partners at the Ottawa County Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Ohio EPA, Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources issued a preliminary report as to the cause of a gastrointestinal illness outbreak in summer 2004.
The findings have identified widespread ground water contamination as the mostly likely source of the illnesses. This came about through exhaustive study of ill persons who fit the case definition; extensive testing of many water systems on the island; a study of the groundwater or aquifer on the island; a review of past hydrological studies of the island and the aquifers; and a case-control study comparing sick persons with their well traveling companions.
Last Updated: 02/22/2005
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