This advisory is not to scare people. It is just to advise people of what we are seeing and what measures they can take to reduce the spread.

Christie Larson, Clatsop County public health nurse

ASTORIA – A significant increase in cases of streptococcal have officials at the Clatsop County Health Department urging the public to take preventive steps to avoid a widespread outbreak of strep throat.

This advisory is not to scare people, said Christie Larson, Clatsop County public health nurse. It is just to advise people of what we are seeing and what measures they can take to reduce the spread.

Health officials were first notified of the rise in strep throat cases after a Clatsop County school, officials have not publicly identified, reported 19 percent of the students were absent on one particular day because of illnesses.

Larson also received reports of other schools with students out ill.

I called about 21 of the students homes to talk with the parents to find out what illnesses the students were suffering from, Larson said. Most had various upper respiratory infections, but we did find three diagnosed cases of strep throat.

Larson also checked with Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria and Providence Seaside Hospital.

They were definitely seeing cases of upper respiratory conditions like bronchitis, sinus infections, strep throat cases and a few influenza cases over the past 30 days, Larson said.

In tracking the cases of strep throat at the hospitals, Larson found that of 107 strep throat case tests taken at the Providence Medical Group walk-in clinic in Seaside from Feb. 1 to March 12, 21 were confirmed cases. At the emergency room of Providence Seaside Hospital from Feb. 12 to March 12, 11 strep throat tests were taken, with one case of strep confirmed.

At Columbia Memorial Hospital, from Jan. 29 to March 12, 31 positive cases of strep throat were confirmed.

I was surprised to see those numbers. Larson said. They are significant.

Neither Columbia Memorial Hospital nor Seaside Providence Hospital is reporting any increased hospitalization as a result of these infections.

People with a fever and sore throat should see their doctor for a medical evaluation because left untreated strep throat can cause heart and liver complications, Larson said.

Strep throat is spread by droplets, most often when someone coughs and doesnt cover the cough.

Health officials recommend anyone with a cough should use their elbow to stop the spread of the cough. They also recommend that you avoid touching your eyes, your nose and your month.

Larson recommends the best cure is to see your doctor for a medical evaluation and any possible prescriptions. But she acknowledged that many people will avoid the medical help.

Most people try to weather it out, Larson said. But we are recommending medical evaluations to parents whose children may show symptoms like a fever and sore throat. We are also concerned about the influenza cases we are now seeing and thats why we are encouraging people to stay at home if they are sick.

Clatsop Health is also encouraging people to get flu shots.

Every person six months or older should get a flu shot, Larson said. We can offer the vaccine for no charge to children from birth to 18-years old who are uninsured.

Health officials are also investigating three elderly care facilities in Clatsop County where several outbreaks of acute vomiting and diarrhea believed to be linked to contagious infection have been reported. Two of the outbreaks have been identified as norovirus, an extremely contagious gastrointestinal infection spread most often by hands that have been contaminated with feces or vomit or aerosolized vomit of infected people.

To prevent the spread of norovirus and other gastrointestinal infections, Clatsop Public Health Department officials are urging people to practice frequent hand-washing or sanitizing, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers, before preparing meals or feeding an infant and before and after providing health care to another.

People with acute vomiting and diarrhea should not return to school, daycare, residential care, or food service until they have been symptom-free for 72 hours. These people should also inform their employes of their illness and continue to practice scrupulous hand-washing.

For more information, go to the Public Health page on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us or call (503) 325-8500.