Ohio Department of Health Launches Hotline Regarding South Bass Island Outbreak; Teams from CDC Arrive to Investigate Illness Involving 378 People

COLUMBUS The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has launched a toll-free information line to answer questions regarding the outbreak of gastrointestinal illness involving residents and visitors to South Bass Island.

The information line (866) 905-INFO (4636) will be staffed until 7 p.m. Monday. People who are sick after visiting South Bass Island should call the Ottawa County Health Department at (419) 734-6800.

We want to help Ohioans make the most informed decisions possible regarding their health, said ODH Director J. Nick Baird, MD.

On Friday, a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and ODH arrived in Ottawa County to investigate the outbreak, which has sickened 378 people; interviews are pending with another 150. The majority of patients report nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and cramps; a smaller number report fever, chills and

muscle aches.

This investigation seeks to identify the cause or causes of illness and establish recommendations for prevention and control, Baird said. It is truly a local, state and federal collaboration.

Laboratory results confirm 10 cases of Campylobacter, one case of Salmonella and three cases of Norovirus.

Source: Ohio Department of Health