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"On January 9, 2017 at 1:30 PM, the Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response section at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) was notified by the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) that three persons ate at a Mexican restaurant in Topeka, KS and subsequently experienced gastrointestinal illness. KDHE notified Shawnee County Health Agency (SCHA) and an outbreak investigation was initiated on January 9, 2017 at 2:15 PM to determine the cause, scope of illness and to initiate appropriate measures for control and prevention. A special questionnaire was developed and submitted to ill persons."

"On December 28, 2016, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response (IDER) was notified by the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) of three foodborne illness complaints reporting six individuals experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms following a common meal at the Blind Tiger Brewery and Restaurant in Topeka, KS on December 23, 2016. The Shawnee County Health Agency (SCHA) was notified on December 28 and, in conjunction with KDHE, began an outbreak investigation to determine the source of illness and to implement appropriate control measures. A standardized questionnaire was administered by phone to those reporting illness."

"On Tuesday, July 28, 2015, at 12:24 p.m., an ill individual notified the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response section (KDHE) of a possible foodborne disease outbreak. The individual reported that four persons from three different households became ill after consuming food purchased on July 26 from Carniceria Camecuaro, a restaurant and butcher shop located at 1016 SE 6th St., Topeka, Kansas. No other common exposures among the households were reported. Within the next thirty minutes, KDHE had notified the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) and the Shawnee County Health Agency (SCHA), and an outbreak investigation was initiated by SCHA at 1:05 p.m., supplemented by a KDA inspection of the facility on Wednesday, July 29, at 11:05 a.m. This joint investigation by KDHE, SCHA, and KDA was conducted to determine the cause and scope of illness and to implement prevention and control measures."

"At 1:21pm on April 7, 2015 a concerned citizen notified the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response section in the Bureau of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics (KDHE) of a possible outbreak of gastrointestinal illness at Atria Hearthstone, a long-term care facility (LTCF) located within Shawnee County. Shawnee County Health Agency (SCHA) was notified of the outbreak. An outbreak investigation was initiated on April 7, 2015 at 1:25pm to determine the cause and scope of illness among the residents and staff and to recommend prevention and control measures at the facility."

"On Thursday, June 19, 2014, at 9:21am the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response section (KDHE) was notified of a possible foodborne illness outbreak involving residents at the Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF). The facility reported that 77 residents sought medical attention due to gastrointestinal symptoms on or after June 18, 2014. In response to this report, an outbreak investigation was initiated at 9:30am by KDHE, the TCF, and the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), in cooperation with the Shawnee County Health Agency and the Kansas Department of Corrections, to determine the cause and scope of illness among residents and to recommend prevention and control measures."

"On April 14, 2014 at 12:37 p.m., the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response section (KDHE) received a report from a long-term care facility (LTCF) administrator of gastrointestinal illnesses affecting staff members and residents. The Shawnee County Health Agency (SCHA) and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) were notified. An outbreak investigation was immediately initiated by staff at SCHA and KDHE to determine cause of illness and implement prevention and control measures."

"On January 3, 2014, at 10:15 a.m., the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) notified the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) of a foodborne illness complaint. The complainant stated that eight individuals from three separate households ate food from a fast food restaurant on January 1, 2014, and six subsequently became ill with vomiting and diarrhea. The Shawnee County Health Department (SCHD) was notified at approximately 10:30 a.m., and immediately began an outbreak investigation. An investigation was also initiated immediately by staff from the KDA."

"On December 11, 2012 at 10:20 a.m., the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response section (KDHE) was notified by the Shawnee County Health Agency (SCHA) about a potential varicella outbreak consisting of five cases occurring in Seaman Middle School in Unified School District (USD) 345. On January 2, 2013 at 10:40 a.m., KDHE was notified of three varicella cases in Seaman High School which were epidemiologically linked to cases at Seaman Middle School. An additional three varicella cases were later identified in the Seaman Elementary School. Immediately after each case was reported, SCHA, Seaman USD 345, and KDHE worked to determine the source of illness, identify susceptible contacts, and implement prevention and control measures."

"On Sunday, April 28, 2013, at 3:20 p.m., a Shawnee County hospital notified the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response section (KDHE) of a possible foodborne disease outbreak. The hospital reported that four patients from two different households sought care in the emergency department that afternoon after eating food from Carniceria Camecuaro, a restaurant and butcher shop located at 1016 SE 6th St., Topeka, Kansas. No other common exposures between the households were reported. KDHE immediately notified the Shawnee County Health Agency (SCHA) and the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA). KDHE recommended closing the restaurant, pending further investigation into the ill consumers. A KDA food inspector arrived at the restaurant at 4:30 p.m. A full inspection was not conducted, but the inspector checked temperatures of the food items being served: pork carnitas, pork al pastor, pico de gallo, tomato salsa, tomatillo salsa, and jalapeño and tomatillo salsa. The three salsas were all near 49°F, above the required cold holding temperature threshold of 41°F. Samples of these food items were collected. All three salsas on the make table in the front of the restaurant were discarded in a trash dumpster. The restaurant agreed to close voluntarily. The inspector instructed the establishment to close until a reopening inspection was conducted and to clean and sanitize all walls, fixtures, countertops, and food preparation equipment. The following day, Monday, April 29, at 3:56 p.m., a complaint was received by KDA regarding the same restaurant. The complainant stated that 25 pounds of pork carnitas were purchased on April 28, after the restaurant voluntarily closed. The pork carnitas were served at a private family event on the evening of April 28, along with rice, beans, and pasta salad prepared by family members. The complainant stated approximately 20 of 50 attendees became ill after eating at the event. In light of these additional illnesses caused by food sold after the restaurant voluntarily closed, KDA issued a temporary suspension order on April 30 to prohibit the restaurant from operating."

"On March 26, 2013 at 10:20 a.m., a parent notified the the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response section (KDHE) of varicella in an infant who attended an early childcare center in Shawnee County. The nine-month-old patient presented to a physician on March 11, 2013 with several red papules but no fever. The infant was not diagnosed with varicella and was allowed to attend daycare on March 11 and 12. After developing a more generalized maculo-papular rash covering all areas of the body, the non-pyretic infant was diagnosed with varicella by a second physician the afternoon of March 12, 2013. No notification was sent to KDHE at that time. A second case of varicella was reported by a third physician on March 26, 2013 at 12:20 p.m. This nine-month-old patient also attended the childcare center's infant room, with onset of a rash on March 24, 2013. Over the course of the week following March 26th, two additional infant cases were identified associated to the childcare center's infant room. One of the infant cases was a resident of Douglas County. Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department (LDCHD) and Shawnee County Health Agency (SCHA) were notified of all cases and carried out actions to prevent the further spread of disease. The center's infant room cared for six infants under the age of one year. None of the infants had previous history of varicella disease or vaccine; all of the infants were considered suceptible contacts of the initial case. All childcare workers assigned to the room had previous history of varicella disease. On April 16, 2013 at 2:15 p.m., the LDCHD notified the KDHE of another varicella case associated to the early childcare center in Shawnee County. This fifth case was a three-year-old sibling of an infant case; the sibling was also enrolled in the early childcare center. SCHA was notified and actions were taken to coordinate additional control measures within the early childcare center."

"On the morning of January 24, 2012, the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) received a foodborne illness complaint. The complainant became ill with gastrointestinal symptoms after dining at Lupita's Mexican Restaurant (732 S Kansas Avenue, Topeka, Kansas) on January 20, and was aware of others who experienced symptoms after eating there. The Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response (IDER) section at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) was notified of the complaint at 9:20 a.m. Shortly after this complaint was received, IDER was made aware of another group of employees who also reported illness after eating at the restaurant on January 20. IDER notified the Shawnee County Health Department of these circumstances, and chose to lead the investigation rather than the local health department. By 10:38 a.m., a questionnaire was emailed to the complainant and the affected group of employees."

"On January 12, 2009, the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) was notified of a possible outbreak of gastrointestinal illness among individuals who shared a meal from the Coyote Canyon restaurant, 1251 S W Ashworth Place, Topeka, KS, 66604. The preliminary complaint indicated that a party of twelve ate the evening of January 9, and seven became ill the following day with diarrhea; two individuals sought care at a hospital. In response to this report, an outbreak investigation was initiated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Shawnee County Health Agency (SCHA)."

"On November 6, 2008, the Shawnee County Health Agency (SCHA) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) were notified of gastro-intestinal illness (GI) among attendees of a lunch held for a private trade organization. Three coworkers who attended the lunch experienced diarrhea and abdominal cramps within 24 hours of eating the meal. The event took place on November 5, 2008, and the food was prepared by a home-based caterer. SCHA, Kansas department of Agriculture (KDA) and KDHE initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the outbreak. The investigation included telephone interviews of lunch attendees regarding foods consumed and illness history, clinical laboratory testing, and an environmental investigation of the caterer."

"On March 3, 2008, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's Bureau of Consumer Health (KDHE-BCH) notified KDHE's Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology (KDHE-OSE) of a possible foodborne illness outbreak. The complainant, an individual employed in Shawnee County, stated that 15 coworkers experienced gastrointestinal illness after eating sandwiches catered by Jersey Mike's Subs (2121 SW Wanamaker Rd, Suite 115, Topeka, KS) on February 27. KDHE-OSE and the Shawnee County Health Agency initiated an outbreak investigation to determine the source of the illness and to ensure appropriate control and prevention measures were implemented."

"On April 18, 2008, Shawnee County Health Agency (SCHA) and Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) were notified of widespread gastrointestinal (GI) illness among students of Silver Lake Elementary School. Over 60 students were absent because of gastrointestinal symptoms that included vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps on April 16 and 17. Teachers and other school staff were also affected. Illness seemed limited to the one school in the affected county, although parents and siblings of some sick students were also affected. KDHE and SCHA initiated an outbreak investigation to determine the cause of the illness and implement effective and appropriate prevention and control measures."

"On Wednesday, February 15, 2006, a food protection investigator at the Southeast District office of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) received approximately five phone calls from individuals who reported illness after eating at a Miami County restaurant the previous evening, February 14th. Two complainants provided their contact information. The food protection investigator notified the Epidemiology Services Section (ESS) of KDHE about the possible foodborne outbreak. ESS the Miami County Health Department (MCHD) initiated an outbreak investigation to determine the source of illness and to implement appropriate control and prevention measures. The restaurant owner mentioned to ESS that some of her teenage employees had called in sick, and that there was some illness circulating in their high school."

"On June 17, 2005, a complaint of a possible foodborne outbreak associated with Restaurant X was reported to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's (KDHE) Epidemiology Services Section (ESS) by a Bureau of Consumer Health (BCH) food inspector. The complainant stated ten individuals experienced illness after eating food at Restaurant X on June 12th. Individuals ate at this restaurant as part of a group of 25 for an anniversary party, with food served to the group 'family style' in large bowls. Preliminary information revealed 10 individuals experienced diarrhea and vomiting approximately 36 to 72 hours after consuming the food at Restaurant X. Other symptoms included abdominal cramps, nausea, and fever. The KDHE Bureau of Consumer Health (BCH) and ESS notified the Shawnee County Health Agency's (SCHA) epidemiologist."

"The Kansas State Planning Board presents herewith the second of a series of studies in local planning. This is a comprehensive inventory of public works and improvements in Shawnee County and the City of Topeka which will be needed within the next twenty-five years"--Foreword