MANHATTAN – A Kansas middle school alerted parents and staff after report of a bacterial infection.

A member of the staff and student at Anthony Middle School in Manhattan have had confirmed cases of Clostridium Difficile (C.dif), according to school Principal Vickie Kline.

C.difficle is a bacteria that can cause symptoms such as watery diarrhea and mild abdominal cramping. Illness from C. dif most commonly affects older adults in hospitals or in long-term care facilities and typically occurs after use of antibiotic medications.

C. difficile bacteria are found throughout the environment — in soil, air, water, human and animal feces, and food products, such as processed meats. A small number of healthy people naturally carry the bacteria in their large intestine and don’t have ill effects from the infection.

C. difficile infection is most commonly associated with health care, occurring in hospitals and other health care facilities where a much higher percentage of people carry the bacteria.

However, studies show increasing rates of community-associated C. difficile infection, which occurs among populations traditionally not considered high risk, such as children and people without a history of antibiotic use or recent hospitalization.

The principal also included a link the Riley County Health with information on C. dif from the Mayo Clinic where she acquired most the information listed in the first two paragraphs.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/c-difficile/basics/symptoms/con-20029664?reDate=19042016
Anthony Middle School is following the prevention procedures recommended by hospitals and other health care facilities. Preventive measures include hand-washing and thorough cleaning of surfaces with bleach. We have also in been contact with the Riley County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.