The Poplar Bluff R-I School District received word late Tuesday a high school student had been diagnosed with Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious viral infection that is typically spread person-to-person within common surface areas, object, food or drinks are contaminated with feces from a person experiencing symptoms.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dark colored urine, clay colored stool and yellowing of the skin or eyes.
The district worked with the Butler County Health Department on a series of cleaning protocols throughout the school.
The district and health department responded quickly, Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill said.
According to Butler County Health Department Public Health Community Planner Allie Pattillo, there is no concern for secondary exposure at this time.
Dill added the district will do everything in their power to make the school safe for the students.
"Unfortunately in the county and community this is something we have had to deal with previously," Dill said. "It's going to take a collective effort to deal with this and take care of it."
Preventative measures include washing hands after using the restroom or before preparing food and becoming Hepatitis A vaccinated. Avoid eating or drinking after anyone experiencing any signs of illness.
Any Poplar Bluff Senior High School student who would like to receive a Hepatitis A vaccine as a preventative measure is welcome to go to the Butler County Health Department.
The health department is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and walk-ins are welcome.
"We recommend anyone who has not previously received the vaccine to get it," Pattillo said. "We want to have it present for that option."
The cases of Hepatitis A remain consistent in the county, Pattillo said, which has been ongoing since Sept. 2017 with 105 cases confirmed.
In the 13 county Southeast Region, she added, 206 cases had been confirmed as of Oct. 15.