Update: Collin County issues alerts after confirmation of a case of typhoid fever, possible exposure to primary school



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Updated at 5:15 pm: This story has been updated to reflect new information regarding possible exposure at a Frisco Primary School.

Collin County health officials issued two separate alerts on typhoid fever this week after confirmation of a case at a McKinney restaurant employee and a possible school exposure. Frisco primary.

Health officials confirmed in a September 20 press release that an employee of a McKinney restaurant had caught typhoid fever. Anyone who has eaten at Hat Creek Burger Co., located at 3321 S. Custer Road between August 18 and 22, could be at risk, the statement said.

The county urges anyone who thinks they have been exposed to the bacteria to consult their health care provider.

The Ministry of Health sent a separate letter to parents at Frisco de Talley Elementary School on September 19 stating that the school may have been exposed to the disease. As of September 20, exposure to the school has not been confirmed.

The case of the restaurant employee is travel-related, according to the Department of Health.

Typhoid fever is caused by salmonella serotype typhi bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The bacterium spreads in the stool of an infected person when it comes into contact with objects, food or water that are put in someone else's mouth, according to the Department of Health. health.

This strain of typhoid fever is "extremely drug-resistant," said the health department.

Depending on the country, symptoms may appear within three to sixty days, or even 60 days later, with an average interval of eight to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever up to 102-104 degrees, feelings of weakness, stomach pain, headache, diarrhea, loss of appetite and constipation or diarrhea, according to the release. Patients may also have a rash of pink-colored flat spots.

According to the county, the most important way to prevent the spread of this disease is to wash your hands, especially after using the toilet and before preparing to eat or eat.

"When we see diseases like this practically eradicated in the United States, and then people traveling and coming back, there is public concern. But if we all do our jobs properly, there should be no other business, "said Pam Ritz, spokeswoman for Hat Creek.

Hat Creek Burger Co. urges anyone with questions or concerns to call their customer service at 888-648-1613.

The elementary school is taking precautions because of possible exposure, according to a letter from Sept. 19 sent by Talley Elementary School principal, Jamie Peden. Teams will wipe all student desks and desks with a disinfectant, clean and disinfect all washrooms, clinics and offices, wipe all vinyl flooring and cafeteria with disinfectant, and demist all classrooms to eliminate live bacteria and viruses, the letter said.

Any suspicion of typhoid fever can be reported to the Collin County Health Department at 972-548-4707.

"Typhoid fever is not common in the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia and Japan," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website, "but it is common in many other countries. An estimated 22 million people worldwide each year. In the United States, about 350 people are diagnosed each year with typhoid fever. "

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