털사 보건부 – 역학 프로그램
Gastrointestinal illnesses (GI) are some of the most common sicknesses reported in Tulsa County. The Tulsa Health Department’s Epidemiology program follows these illnesses all year to spot trends, support our partners and help keep the community healthy.
GI illnesses spread through contaminated hands, surfaces, food, water, or close contact with someone who is sick. The ones we see most often in our monitoring across Tulsa County is Norovirus.
Norovirus spreads very quickly for several reasons. Only a small number of viral particles are needed to make someone sick, and the virus can survive on surfaces for days. It often spreads before people realize they are contagious. While confirmed outbreaks are reportable, individual cases usually are not, meaning the true number of infections is much higher. Testing for norovirus is limited in most routine healthcare settings, and poor hand hygiene also contributes to rapid spread.
Norovirus is commonly seen in schools, childcare centers, restaurants, workplaces, long-term care facilities and households. Symptoms include sudden vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and fatigue. Hand sanitizer does not work well against norovirus, so washing hands with soap and water is the best protection.
Norovirus is usually the one people hear about the most even if they don’t recognize it by name. It spreads fast and shows up almost anywhere people gather. But it’s also just one of the enteric (stomach and intestinal) illnesses we monitor closely.
As more people travel around the holidays, it’s also important to be aware of illnesses that are rare here but more common in other parts of the world. GI illnesses are present every year in Tulsa County, especially during fall and winter when more people are indoors. Other GI illnesses we see locally and their causes include:
- Campylobacter – undercooked poultry, unpasteurized milk, contaminated water
- Salmonella – eggs, poultry, produce, backyard poultry, reptiles
- Shigella – extremely contagious; often spreads in childcare settings
- STEC (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli) – can cause bloody diarrhea; linked to undercooked beef, leafy greens, unpasteurized foods
- Cryptosporidium – parasites found in untreated water, pools, splash pads
Cholera and Other GI Illnesses When Traveling
Cholera is extremely rare in the United States, but it still affects many parts of the world today. Recent outbreaks have been reported in Southern and Eastern Africa, Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, Haiti and parts of the Caribbean.
Travelers to areas with unsafe water or active outbreaks have a higher chance of exposure. Most cholera infections are preventable by being careful with food and water.
Travel safety tips:
- Drink bottled, boiled, or treated water
- Avoid ice unless you know it is safe
- Choose foods fully cooked and served hot
- Avoid raw or undercooked seafood
- Peel raw fruits and vegetables yourself
- Wash hands often with soap and water
Upon retrun from your trip, it’s important to monitor symptoms. Refer to our 귀국 여행객을 위한 건강 팁: 여행 후 알아야 할 사항 blog for more information.
How Epidemiology Helps Protect Public Health
Dr. John Snow, a British physician during an 1850s cholera outbreak, is considered the founder of modern epidemiology. By mapping cases and investigating water sources, he traced the outbreak to a single contaminated pump on Broad Street in London. When the pump handle was removed, cases declined. His methods of mapping, interviewing, testing ideas and looking for shared sources remain central to epidemiology today.
The Tulsa Health Department’s Epidemiology program investigates reports of gastrointestinal illness. The program helps identify disease outbreaks in schools, restaurants, childcare centers and long-term care facilities. Epidemiologists work closely with community partners to stop the spread of illness and reduce the impact of outbreaks. The program also monitors global disease trends to identify potential risks to Tulsa County. In addition, the Epidemiology Program provides guidance and education on symptoms, testing, travel-related risks and prevention strategies to the public across Tulsa County.
Our team is here year-round to keep Tulsa County informed and supported. For additional questions, call the Epi Line at 918-595-4399.