Two Cases of Salmonella Confirmed at a Fenton Elementary School

Uthoff Valley Principal Connie Browning informed parents via email that the St. Louis County Health Department has confirmed two cases of Salmonella among students at Uthoff Valley.

Browning said the cases are unrelated and that the Health Department has not yet determined how the students came in contact with the bacteria.

"We have also talked with our district lead nurse, cafeteria supervisor, and our custodial staff to make sure we are doing everything we can here at school to prevent the spread of this illness," Browning said in the email alert.

Salmonella is treatable and preventable. Browning advised parents to contact their pediatrician or the St. Louis County Department of Health if their children had any symptoms of Salmonella. She also said parents who think their child has Salmonella should tell their doctor that two cases have already been confirmed at the school.

According to the St. Louis County Health Department,

Salmonellosis is an infection caused by the bacteria (germ) Salmonella and is the most common cause of food poisoning in the United States. These germs are found in the bowel movement (stool) of infected people and animals and in contaminated water and foods.

Symptoms usually begin 12 to 72 hours after exposure, but can range from 1 to 10 days, and may include: Diarrhea, fever or abdominal cramps.

A report from the St. Louis County Health Department states that cases of Salmonella is up this year. The county reports 121 people have been infected with Salmonella in 2012 as of September 4, which is almost twice as many cases as last year. In 2011 only 69 cases of Salmonella were recorded in St. Louis County.

For more information on Salmonella, how to treat it and how to avoid it, check out the Center for Disease Control's website on Salmonella.