Media Release

FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: April 3, 2006
CONTACT: Maria Wah-Fitta

Health Advisory
HEALTH Investigating Cluster of Gastrointestinal Illness

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) is investigating a cluster of reported cases of gastrointestinal illness. Most people reported ill had attended a Father & Daughter Dance sponsored by the Cumberland Hill Elementary School on Friday March 31 2006, at the Bocce Club in Woonsocket, RI.

HEALTH is working in close collaboration with the School Department to contact everyone who attended this event. The event facility has also been cooperating with the investigation.

Symptoms of the reported illness include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and low-grade fever.

Any person who attended this event and is experiencing severe symptoms should seek medical care.

Although the specific organism that causes this illness has not been identified yet, it is especially important that people with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea stay out of work if they are employed at child-care facilities, restaurants or other food-service establishments, or health-care settings.

HEALTH laboratories are currently working on identifying the organism. In the meantime, people who are ill should drink lots of fluids, get rest, and wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and running water, especially

• after using the restroom, changing diapers or cleaning up vomit
• after assisting someone to use the restroom
• after assisting someone who is ill
• before preparing food or eating

At this time, HEALTH does not have any reports of illness related to another event that took place at the Bocce Club on Saturday, April 1.