1 Dead, 11 Sick of Dysentery in the Bay Area
Oakland Tribune, Jun. 21, 1949
Full Text:
With one child dead and 11 other persons critical ill the Alameda County Health Department today took steps to combat an outbreak of bacillary dysentery in the Hayward-Russell City area.
The child a 2-year-old girl died two days ago in Highland Hospital where the other stricken persons also are being treated. Her name was not released by health authorities.
The outbreak apparently started through the "deplorable unsanitary conditions in the Russell City area according to Dr. James C. Malcolm health officer, with headquarters in San Leandro.
Twelve cases of the disease have been reported in the past 10 days he said. Children not only been affected: in two cases, entire families fell ill.
Dr.Malcolm said the department had established a direct connection between Russell City and Hayward and believes the disease was carried
from the first community to the second through an infected child.
As a result, the department is now enforcing a general sanitary cleanup in the Russell City vicinity, especially in districts lacking inside sanitary facilities.
As the disease is carried by flies and usually deposited on food, the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District has been asked to spray the area in an attempt to kill off the flies.
The Health Department also has offered the services of nurses and other personnel in administering sulfadiazine as a preventive measure. The drug also is being used as treatment for those now confined at Highland Hospital.
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