POSSIBLE OUTBREAK OF HEPATITIS A REPORTED IN BUTLER COUNTYHealth officials in Butler County say they have seen an increase in a contagious virus and are reminding area residents to take steps to protect themselves.
KWOC News spoke with Whitney Preslar, Emergency Response Planner with the Butler County Health Department, who tells us that drug use has been a common factor.
WHITNEY PRESLAR:
The Butler County Health Department has seen a recent increase in the number of reported cases of Hepatitis A in Butler County, which may indicate an outbreak. We are investigating and have determined that reported drug use is a common factor. We are working with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to facilitate a clinic to immunize those individuals who are at risk. The Hepatitis A virus is transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route; that is when an uninfected person ingests food or water that has been contaminated with the feces of an infected person. The virus has a 2-6 week incubation period, meaning it can take up to 2-6 weeks to start showing signs and symptoms after being exposed. Based on our findings, we are approaching the end of the first incubation period. There will be a second incubation period for those who may have been exposed by the reported cases. A person can only spread the disease if they are symptomatic; they are not contagious during the whole incubation period. In light of recent findings, we would like to remind the community that proper hand washing decreases the susceptibility of spreading disease, especially with the holiday season approaching and food preparation at its highest.
Preslar says that if anyone has any questions, to contact the Butler County Health Department at 573-785-8478.
DEXTER WOMAN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION TO HIT AND RUN WRECK Authorities have arrested a Stoddard County woman in connection to an alleged hit and run wreck. 27 year old Courtney Stott, of Dexter turned herself in on Friday morning and was later released after posting a $20,000 bond.
According to the Dexter Police Department, the arrest stems from an incident that happened on September 30, when 37 year old Jason Summers was riding a bicycle near Bloomfield and was hit by a vehicle that left the scene.
Summers is expected to make a full recovery.
POPLAR BLUFF CHURCH TO HOST FISH FRY THIS WEEK A Poplar Bluff church will be hosting its annual fish fry this week.
Brown Chapel AME Church’s Annual Fish Fry will be held from noon to 5 pm on Friday, November 17th. The menu will include cat fish, buffalo, spaghetti, cole slaw and more.
The church is located at 1010 Benton Street in Poplar Bluff. For more information, call 573-785-4801.
MAN ARRESTED ON STATUTORY SODOMY WARRANT A Kennett man has been taken into custody on a statutory sodomy warrant.
According to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, 30 year old Earl James Miller was recently arrested on a warrant for 1st degree statutory sodomy.
As of this morning, Miller remained in jail and his bond has been set at $150,000 cash only.
FLU CLINICS SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK AT BUTLER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Two flu clinics are scheduled for this week at the Butler County Health Department in Poplar Bluff.
Officials with the Butler County Health Department say that everyone six months old and older should get a flu shot to be prepared for the peak period of flu season, which runs from December through February.
A flu clinic is scheduled for 1 to 4:30 pm on Tuesday at the Health Department. Another clinic has been scheduled for Thursday from 8:30 am to 6 pm.
You can find more information at the Butler County Health Department’s website, ButlerCountyHealth.org.
PUBLIC MEETINGS SET FOR THIS WEEK FOR WAPPAPELLO LAKE WATER CONTROL PLAN Two public meetings have been scheduled for this week to discuss the Lake Wappapello water control plan.
According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, the first meeting will be held at 6 pm on Tuesday at the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center. The second meeting will be held on Wednesday at the St. Francis Drainage District building in Piggott beginning at 10 am.
During each meeting a presentation will be given on the water control plan and 2017 operations by members of the Corps of Engineers staff. The staff will also host a question and answer session regarding operations.
ANNUAL STUDENT BRIDGE BUILDING COMPETITION TO BE HELD THIS WEEK The 14th annual Missouri Department of Transportation Bridge Building Competition will be held this week.
The competition challenges high school juniors and seniors from across Southeast Missouri to design and construct the most efficient model bridge using limited materials including 15 pieces of balsa wood, thread and glue.
Prizes donated by area organizations will be awarded to the top-five bridge building winners, as well as for the most aesthetic bridge and the electronic bridge building contest. Similar to previous years, cash prizes will be given to the top three schools with the best overall performance.
The competition will be held Thursday, beginning at 9 am at Rose Theater in Cape Girardeau.
More information is available online at MoDot.org.
