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Monday, June 21, 2004According to the local Board of Health, the company estimated that in the last two weeks, 3,800 people may have been exposed to hepatitis A, which is a contagious viral disease that causes the liver to swell and is spread through fecal contamination. Yesterday, at the Symmes Hospital site, health officials administered immune globulin, which can prevent illness or reduce the severity of symptoms if given within two weeks of exposure. ..."It's very rare that a situation like this happens," added Connolly. She arranged to have 2,300 doses of immune globulin on hand at Symmes, but the crowd was estimated to exceed that supply. "They expected several thousand people, but it looks like half of Arlington is here," said Wayne Springer, the deputy fire chief. The queue snaked across a parking lot, up and down stairs. When people were finally admitted into the building, they waited in yet more lines. One elderly woman fainted in line and was taken to a hospital after emergency medical technicians examined her. A fire official had no further information on her condition. ....I'm at the point where I'm going to ask people in line if they're willing to help after they get the shot,' an overwhelmed Connolly said. She commended various departments in Arlington and neighboring towns for their help. And that's for a disease that's not nearly as fatal or contagious as smallpox. posted by Sydney on 6/21/2004 08:31:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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