HEPATITIS SCARE HITS LOCAL DAY CARE

Three cases of Hepatitis A were confirmed from a Cape Girardeau County day care, but county health officials say the outbreak was quickly contained thanks to quick reporting by the day care.

Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Health Department, said one adult and two children at Little Rascal's day care had the infection.

The infection was reported to the health department by the day care, Craig said. "We were called in Friday morning, and we worked into the weekend," she said.

About 30 children and adults, who were potentially exposed to the disease, received preventive medication.

"It's contained," Craig said. "I'm very proud of the way the day care responded. We haven't gotten any more calls. I think we nipped this in the bud."

Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver, and it is spread through close, person-to-person contact with people carrying the disease or by ingesting contaminated food or water. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever and jaundice.

The best way to prevent the disease is through good hand washing.

If someone thinks they may have been exposed, they should contact their family doctors or the health department.

Last year, the health department held Hepatitis A vaccination clinics aimed at restaurant workers. The vaccine is recommended for all adults.

Outbreaks have been frequent across the country in the past year, including Sikeston, St. Louis and Springfield, Mo.

"It has not been a wide spread problem here," Craig said.

The vaccine is available through the health department.