TEAM LOOKS FOR CAUSE OF DISEASE

The hunt is on for the cause of three cases of hepatitis A diagnosed in Cape Girardeau County. But Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Health Department, said often such searches come up empty.

An adult and two school age children at a local day care center have been diagnosed with hepatitis A, a virus that mimics the flu.

Sue Bippen, who owns Little Rascals day care, fears that rumors and misinformation about hepatitis A will cause people unnecessary worry.

"It is not a crisis or outbreak," Craig said. "Without Ms. Bippen's quick action, it might have developed into something more serious."

A team of public health nurses and sanitarians is looking for the original source of this outbreak.

"In a lot of instances you never find it," Craig said.

The investigation includes checking potential sources like restaurants or others who may have had the virus.

Adding to the difficulty of tracing an outbreak is the virus itself. Most people experience flu-like symptoms, recover quickly and never have the blood test needed to confirm the presence of the virus. Some people are carriers. They are contagious but never develop symptoms.

"It's kind of like asking who did you catch a cold from," Craig said.

However, hepatitis A is treated differently than a cold for a couple reasons.

The disease affects the liver, Craig explained. "But more importantly, it's something we can stop and intervene. If we can trace an origin, we can keep people from being sick."

Hepatitis A is seldom fatal, but it can cause long-term sickness.

"Most people don't understand," Bippen said. "This virus was brought in to the day care. We didn't give it out.

"This is certainly not a scare. It has been contained rather quickly," Bippen said.

Over a week ago, an employee of the day care became ill with flu-like symptoms. When jaundice developed, doctors tested for hepatitis A.

When the diagnosis was confirmed Thursday night, Bippen knew something needed to be done. "I called the health department before they even opened on Friday morning."

Her call beat hospital notification of the virus to the health department.

Immunoglobulin shots, which boost a person's immune system, were shipped from Poplar Bluff and given to the children and staff Friday afternoon.

"I hope the rumors will stop," Bippen said. "She didn't start it. She didn't pick it up at the day care.

"We are doing all the things we're supposed to be doing," Bippen said. "We wear gloves when changing diapers and preparing food. We make sure everyone washes their hands. But we cannot control what goes on outside the day care."

The best way to stop the spread of the virus is good hand washing. A vaccination is also available.

Local doctors have been informed of the reported cases and may suggest hepatitis A tests for some people.

In the meantime, Bippen said her day care will wait out the incubation period. "Parents have been very supportive," Bippen said.

Symptoms of hepatitis A include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills, jaundice, pain in the liver area, dark urine, light-colored stools and abdominal pain. Symptoms may recur for up to six months.

Hepatitis A can take 15 to 50 days for symptoms to occur. During that time, the person may be infectious. In addition, some people, especially small children, may never develop symptoms.