Cooper County Public Health

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Private Drinking Water

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The Department of Health and Senior Services recommends you test your private drinking well water at least once each year and anytime the well is serviced or the water changes in look, smell or taste. If you own a private well, you may want to test your water to make sure it is safe. Since many contaminants are colorless and odorless, testing is the only way to determine whether your well water is safe to drink.

The Bureau of Environmental Epidemiology’s Private Drinking Water Program promotes public health for citizens and guests of the State of Missouri by providing information regarding private drinking water to homeowners and Local Public Health Agencies (LPHA). The program provides technical assistance to homeowners and LPHAs regarding water testing, interpretation of such testing and treatment.

The program is supported by the Centers for Disease Control SafeWatch.

About Acute Flaccid Myelitis

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Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare but serious condition. It affects the nervous system, specifically the area of spinal cord called gray matter, which causes the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak. This condition is not new, but the increase in cases we saw starting in 2014 is new. Still, CDC estimates that less than one in a million people in the United States will get AFM every year. There are a variety of possible causes of AFM, such as viruses, environmental toxins, and genetic disorders. Most of the cases that CDC has learned about have been in children.

Symptoms

For parents who have a child with AFM

CDC understands that parents who have had a child diagnosed with AFM have many concerns and questions. AFM is a serious condition that can be difficult for children and their parents or caregivers. You are in the best position to be an advocate for your child. Talk to the doctor about any discomfort your child may have and ask about treatment options. Ask your child’s school about resources they may have to accommodate this illness. Spending time with others is also an important part of wellbeing and recovery. Encourage friends and family to spend time with your child if they feel well enough for visitors.

We invite you to share questions you have by sending them to CDC-INFO.

For patient resources, visit the Transverse Myelitis Association Resources.

Most people will have sudden onset of arm or leg weakness and loss of muscle tone and reflexes. Some people, in addition to arm or leg weakness, will have:

  • facial droop/weakness,
  • difficulty moving the eyes,
  • drooping eyelids, or
  • difficulty with swallowing or slurred speech.

Numbness or tingling is rare in people with AFM, although some people have pain in their arms or legs. Some people with AFM may be unable to pass urine (pee). The most severe symptom of AFM is respiratory failure that can happen when the muscles involved with breathing become weak. This can require urgent ventilator support (breathing machine). In very rare cases, it is possible that the process in the body that triggers AFM may also trigger other serious neurologic complications that could lead to death.

If you or your child develops any of these symptoms, you should seek medical care right away. Your doctor may collect information about your symptoms and send this information to their health departments. This is because CDC is asking doctors to be alert for patients with symptoms of AFM so that we can learn more about this condition.

Diagnosis

AFM is diagnosed by examining a patient’s nervous system in combination with reviewing pictures of the spinal cord. A doctor can examine a patient’s nervous system and the places on the body where he or she has weakness, poor muscle tone, and decreased reflexes. A doctor can also do an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to look at a patient’s brain and spinal cord, do lab tests on the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid around the brain and spinal cord), and may check nerve conduction (impulse sent along a nerve fiber) and response. It is important that the tests are done as soon as possible after the patient develops symptoms.

AFM can be difficult to diagnose because it shares many of the same symptoms as other neurologic diseases, like transverse myelitis and Guillain-Barre syndrome. With the help of testing and examinations, doctors can distinguish between AFM and other neurologic conditions.

Learn more about the type of information that helps to determine if a patient has AFM or not.

Possible Causes of AFM

AFM or similar neurologic conditions may have a variety of possible causes such as viruses, environmental toxins, and genetic disorders.

Certain viruses that can cause AFM or similar neurologic conditions are

Oftentimes, despite extensive lab tests, the cause of a patient’s AFM is not identified.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for AFM, but a doctor who specializes in treating brain and spinal cord illnesses (neurologist) may recommend certain interventions on a case-by-case basis. For example, neurologists may recommend physical or occupational therapy to help with arm or leg weakness caused by AFM. We do not know the long-term outcomes (prognosis) of people with AFM.

Prevention

Poliovirus and West Nile virus may sometimes lead to AFM.

  • You can protect yourself and your children from poliovirus by getting vaccinated. Polio vaccine contains inactivated (not live) virus, and protects against poliovirus. This vaccine does not protect against other viruses that may cause AFM.
  • You can protect against bites from mosquitoes, which can carry West Nile virus, by using mosquito repellent, staying indoors at dusk and dawn (when bites are more common), and removing standing or stagnant water near your home (where mosquitoes can breed).

While we don’t know if it is effective in preventing AFM, washing your hands often with soap and water is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to other people. Learn about when and how to wash your hands.

For more information on what CDC is doing, see our AFM Investigation page.

Hy-Vee Voluntarily Recalls Several Meat and Potato Products

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Hy-Vee, Inc., based in West Des Moines, Iowa, is voluntarily recalling six of its meat and potato products across its eight-state region due to possible contamination with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. The potential for contamination was discovered after Hy-Vee’s supplier, McCain Foods, announced it was recalling its caramelized mushrooms and fire-roasted tomatoes, which are ingredients that are used in six Hy-Vee products. To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with these products. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Out of an abundance of caution, Hy-Vee is recalling the following products from all of its stores:

  • Hy-Vee Bacon Wrapped Cowgirl Chicken Grillers – 8 ounce each
    UPC Code023092600000
  • Hy-Vee Fire Roasted Tomato, Spinach, Mozzarella Twice Baked Potato – 5 ounce each
    UPC Code023755400000
  • Hy-Vee Cowgirl Chicken Griller Patty – 6 ounce each
    UPC Code023100200000
  • Hy-Vee Gourmet Steakhouse Mushroom & Swiss Burger – 6 ounce each
    UPC Code023168400000
  • Hy-Vee Ground Beef Sliders Mushroom & Swiss – 2 ounce each
    UPC Code023164300000
  • Hy-Vee Ground Beef Sliders Mushroom & Swiss – 12 count, 30 ounces
    UPC Code023266600000

All impacted products have a “Best If Used By” date of Oct. 22, 2018, or sooner. Customers who purchased any of these products with these dates should not consume them. Customers are being asked to discard these items or return them to their local Hy-Vee store for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Hy-Vee Customer Care representatives 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-772-4098.

 

Additional Information:

A La Carte Foods Properties, LLC Recalls Meat and Poultry Products Containing Meat Produced without Benefit of Inspection

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Class I Recall091-2018
Health Risk: HighOct 15, 2018
 

 WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2018 – A La Carte Foods Properties, LLC, a Belle Rose, La. establishment, is recalling approximately 30,438 pounds of meat and poultry products that contain meat produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The ready-to-eat frozen meat and poultry sausage items were produced on various dates from Jan. 3, 2017 through Oct. 2, 2018. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF only)]

  • 12-lb. ready-to-eat frozen packages containing “PONCHATOULAS JAMBALYA RICE with CHICKEN THIGH MEAT AND SMOKED SAUSAGE,” and “Item Number 208304,” and Batch # 25518, 26818, and 27518.
  • 12-lb. ready-to-eat frozen packages containing “A PRODUCT OF CRAZY CAJUN LOUISIANA CHICKEN THIGH MEAT & SMOKED SAUSAGE GUMBO,” and “Item Number 591000,” and Batch # 25518 and 26118.
  • 12-lb. ready-to-eat frozen packages containing “Phil’s OYSTER BAR & SEAFOOD RESTAURANT CREOLE STYLE CHICKEN THIGH MEAT & SMOKED SAUSAGE GUMBO,” and “Item Number 494103,” and Batch # 01018, 03718, 13518, 23318, 33217, 35517, 36117.
  • 12-lb. ready-to-eat frozen packages containing “STEAMBOAT BILLS CHICKEN & SMOKED SAUSAGE GUMBO,” and “Item Number 493007,” and Batch # 00317.
  • 12-lb. ready-to-eat frozen packages containing “STEAMBOAT BILLS RED BEANS with SMOKED SAUSAGE,” and “Item Number 493021,” and Batch # 00317.
  • 12-lb. ready-to-eat frozen packages containing “SOUTHERN SPOON FOODS CHICKEN THIGH MEAT, SMOKED SAUSAGE, & ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE GUMBO,” and “Item Number 49200,” and Batch # 01618, 02418, 05118, 12217, 12917, 13017, 14317, 16417, 17817, 21317, 24117, 25517, 28317, 29117, 30517, 31217, 32517, 33217, 34017, and 34717.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 13375” or “P-13375” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to restaurant locations in Louisiana and Texas.

The problem was discovered when A La Carte Foods Properties, LLC personnel notified FSIS on Oct. 11, 2018 that they used meat products from a source that was not federally-inspected to formulate their federally inspected ready-to-eat products.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.  

FSIS is concerned that some product is in restaurants’ freezers. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Chris Landry, Owner, A La Carte Foods Properties, LLC at (985) 369-2677.

Prime Deli Corporation Recalls Salads Containing Meat Products due to Possible Salmonella and Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination in Corn

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Class I Recall092-2018
Health Risk: HighOct 16, 2018
 

 

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2018 – Prime Deli Corporation, a Lewisville, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 217 pounds of ready-to-eat salad with bacon products that contain a corn ingredient that may be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The ready-to-eat salads with bacon were produced on October 13. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF only)] 

  • 11.2-oz. clear plastic clamshell packages containing “7-ELEVEN™ BISTRO SOUTHWEST STYLE SALAD WITH BACON” and best by date of “Tuesday 1016”.
  • 9.6-oz. clear plastic clamshell packages containing “7-ELEVEN™ BISTRO SOUTHWEST STYLE SALAD WITH BACON” and best by date of “Tuesday 1016”.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 13553” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Texas.                               

The problem was discovered on October 14, 2018 when Prime Deli Corporation received notification that the corn used in the production of their Southwest Style Salad with Bacon was being recalled by their corn supplier due to Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella concerns.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.  

Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment. In some persons, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.           

Media and consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Luis Aguilar, Prime Deli Corporation Quality Assurance Manager, at (817) 360-8483.