Harford Health Department 'Looking Into' Stomach Sickness

Has your stomach been bothering you the past few days?

You're not alone, according to the Harford County Health Department.

The department "is aware of the reports of individuals experiencing symptoms of GI distress," William Wiseman, spokesman for the Harford County Health Department, said Thursday.

Readers contacted Bel Air Patch this week after some said they became "violently ill," with symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea that "hit hard and fast," coming down with a sickness that had one family "throwing up for more than 15 hours."

In more than 100 comments responding to Bel Air Patch's question asking whether anyone had become ill after eating out over the weekend, readers said that a bug was going around.

"Half of Fallston is sick with the stomach flu," one wrote on the Facebook thread.

Another, who identified herself as a worker in Harford County Public Schools, said a lot of children were sick with a bug that was going around.

The health department confirmed that it received reports of gastrointestinal distress, and officials are "looking into it," Wiseman said Thursday.

"We encourage members of the public to contact the [Harford County Health Department] to provide a food history to us and for appropriate follow-up, as needed," Wiseman added.

He noted that if there are critical violations at any food facility in Harford County, those would be listed on the health department's website.

To prevent the spread of germs associated with gastrointestinal illness, the Centers for Disease Control recommends washing hands with soap and water before preparing or eating food, washing fruits and vegetables, cleaning any sickness-infested areas with bleach and washing all clothing and linens that an infected person touched.