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Vi- t u- a Wèenènc ô%p ('F fnnnimfltAPPLE 78 AIST. #1 & 2, IIN87!785 .78-2881.p4~ "Using Communication to Build Better Communities" A Metroland Communîty Newspaper Vol. 144 No. 32 Friday, July 4, 200-3 36 Pages $1 .00 (GST included) Drury students hit by E. Coli outbreak Proud Canadianls Canada turned 136 Tuesday with celebrations heid f rom coast ta coast. Among those taking part in local tes- tivities at the Milton Fair Grounds were proud Canadians Danielle Kelly and Thomas Gibson-Gamache inset) - both nine years old. For more Canada Day coverage, see pages 3 and 14. Eood poisoning at grad dinner likelv the cause By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion At least 56 E.C. Drury High Sehool students are showing symptoms of E. Col iinfection in connection with what should have been one of the best nights of their lives. The latest outbreak figures were announced yesterday attemoon hy Dr. Bob Nosal, Halions medical otticer of health, at an, impromptu press conference at l]alton Regions Oakvif le headquarters. Dr. Nosal said tl seems the studetits con- tracted the illness ai tbetr June 25 gradua- tion dinner. held at a Nississauga banquet hall. About 240 students atiended the event. -Thats certainly our main \vorking hvpothests.' he said. The number of suspected f ood poîsonîng cases may risc as more students are con- tacted by the Halton Region flealth Department. The health department is making efforts to contact each one of the students in atten- dance antd bas spoken with 15(0 su far, Dr. Nosal said. Prelîminary tests have confirmed the ill- ness is caused by the E. Cofi bactenia. A definitive test in the next few days will determine if it's the samne strain of E. Colt that killed seven people in Wafiserton in 2(>0)-E. Colt 0 1 57:H-7. Infections from thîs straîn of E. Coli are characterized by diarrhea, svhîch is often bloody. Other symptoms may include abdominal cramps. a fever. feeling generaf- y unwelf and fatigue. Knosvn sources of E. Coli inclode under-cooked meat. contami- nated procluce and contaminated drinking water. In about f'ive to If) per cent of these cases, a more serions problem des elops cal led Hemolytie I..remic Syndrome. 'Obviously, we hope fewv if any get tbis condition."tDr Nosal said. The health departmnent is continuîng to notify everone ins'olved as svell as the public. Anyone who attended the gradua- tio)n evetît and ix il] should contact the healtît depar-tment and seek medicaf help. 'm flnot happy. 1 spent $150 (for graduation) to get sick." JOSH FREORICKS Dr Nosal said. E. Colt can cause serious disease in a small number of those infect- ed. And, il can be easily transmitted by those who are ill to famif y members and other close contacts" he added. Infected students should wash their hands scrupulousfy to prevent passing the illness on to f amily members. Dr. Nosal said. emphasizing the importance of pre- venting transmission to others in the com- munity. Infected students shouldn't retumn to work until the diarrhea bas substded and theyve been feeling better for a day. Those ,.vorktng in f ood preparation. f ood service, or child or health care settings cant retum to \sork until thevve had two negative test resuits, Dr. Nosaf said. Although some students may have mild cases that last just a day or two, more sert- ous cases can lasi several days. see DOZENS on page 12 Comment .....6-7 A&E ........ 10-11 Dateline ....... 21 Sports...... 24-26 Classitîed .... .31-33 q[M ÏM I eFriday, JuIy 4 a e Shoppors Drug Mart* a ZoliOru* " M&M MOat* 0 Critolio's Village Market* " Canadian Tir* 1,No Frills *e Home Dopo* e Homo Hardware* e Covers* Bout Wholr * eAston Gardon Marke* e*Ashley Fumituro* e Longos* Dell Computors * eSoboys* s BontIy* asoars* *Selected areas only MILOW E lw e ee Acdn SiteO-h -AtFch%