Dear Parents,

The Davidson County Health Department has received reports of two Tyro Middle School students with E. coli 0157 infection. The source in these cases is unknown at this time. We would like to make parents and students aware of the symptoms of E. coli 0157 infection.

Symptoms may include: • Acute diarrhea, including bloody diarrhea • Vomiting • Severe Abdominal cramps • Low-grade fever

If your child or an adult in the family has the symptoms listed above, please contact your medical provider and share the information in this notification with them.

Some people sickened by E. coli may develop severe complications, including kidney failure. Young children, the elderly and people with other medical conditions are most at risk.

Early medical treatment can help minimize the severity, so it is essential that people with E. coli infection receive early medical attention. A person who is ill with E. coli infection may transmit the disease to others. The best way to prevent transmission is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after handling foods, before eating and after using the toilet and changing diapers.

If you have any general questions or concerns, you may call the Davidson County Health Department at (336) 236-3096 between the hours of 10:00AM and 2:00PM Saturday, December 28, 2013. After 2:00PM, please call (336) 242-2300, select the #8 prompt to leave a message and someone will call you back.

More information on E. coli can be found at the following websites:

http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/general/index.html http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/cd/diseases/ecoli.html

Sincerely,

Debbie Hill, Principal