Walking around Nome in the spring usually means muddy shoes, but you might step in something much worse. Testing last year uncovered the presence of the E. coli in puddles around Nome, prompting healthcare provider Norton Sound Health Corporation to launch an awareness campaign over responsible pet ownership.
Norton Sound’s Acting Director of the Office of Environmental Health, Alicia Reitz, said E. coli is commonly found in the intestines of mammals. If humans are exposed to the bacteria, it can cause gastrointestinal infections.
She said that even though the puddles in Nome haven’t been tested this year, the results – and culprit – would likely be the same.
“We expect that it's coming from dog poop primarily that's around town from not having been picked up over the winter,” Reitz said.
Reitz said the health problems don’t end when the puddles dry up. She said the bacteria can cling to dirt kicked up in the air by vehicles and cause respiratory issues.
To prevent exposure to the bacteria, Reitz recommends kids wash their hands and change their clothes after playing outside. She said waterproof boots are also useful to keep the bacteria away. But she said the most proactive things to do are to pick up after your pets and make sure they’re vaccinated.
“But as long as people aren't picking up and playing with dog poop, they should be okay,” she said.
To build awareness, Reitz and Norton Sound have launched a “Scoop the Poop” campaign with signs placed around town.
OEH has distributed pet waste bags to locations around Nome including the ground floor lobby of the hospital, Public Safety Building, Post Office, Animal House, PAWS of Nome, Community Garden, and Nome Recreation Center.
