NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Friday, February 28, 1997

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

97-73 - Big Thicket NP (Texas) - Follow-up on Illegal Possession of Badge

The park which issued the badge offered for sale in the Texas gun show has
been identified through the assistance of employees in several parks.  The
issuing area was located in the District of Columbia, and appropriate parties
have been notified.  The badge was originally issued on July 21, 1976. 
Thanks to all those who responded.  [Chuck Boettcher, SPR, BITH, 2/27]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Public Health Service Advisory - Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (E. coli), an
emerging cause of foodborne illness, causes an estimated 10,000 to 20,0000
cases of infections in the United States each year.  Although no cases have
yet been recorded in the NPS, the potential is growing for such infections
and park staffs should be aware of its causes and consequences.  Infection
often leads to bloody diarrhea, and, occasionally, to kidney failure,
resulting in over 150 deaths per year, primarily among children.  Most
illness has been associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef
at restaurants and in homes.  Person-to-person contact and cross
contamination are factors in transmission of the illness.  Infection can also
occur after drinking raw milk and after swimming in or drinking sewage-
contaminated waters.  Infections from this strain of E. coli can be prevented
by thoroughly cooking ground beef (155 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds) in
park concessions, in homes and at cookouts.  Hands and utensils which touch
raw ground beef should be considered contaminated and should be carefully
washed.  Washing hands carefully and frequently with soap reduces the risk of
spreading the E. coli infections (and other infections) from the sick to the
healthy.  Contact your NPS regional public health consultant or park
sanitarian, or call WASO Public Health for more information at 202-565-1120. 
[Charles Otto, PHS, NCR, 2/26]

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

EXCHANGE

No submissions.

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Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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