A hermit crab and oil that washed ashore along the coastline of Dauphin Island, Ala. rest inside a boot print Tuesday June 1, 2010. At least 58 people in Alabama have gone to local emergency rooms complaining of oil-related ailments. Press-Register / John David Mercer

By Casandra Andrews, Press-Register
Published: Wednesday, July 07, 2010, 2:08 PM MOBILE, Ala. — Alabama Department of Public Health officials reported today that at least 58 people have gone to local emergency rooms, clinics and urgent care centers since May 14 complaining of ailments thought to be related to the oil spill. That compares with 28,835 patients treated for non-trauma care overall during that period. Health officials are conducting surveillance across the state to monitor effects related to the spill at more than 20 sites in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Thirty-four of the patients complaining of oil-caused symptoms were exposed via inhalation, 17 by contact, three through ingestion and four patients reported multiple exposures, according to a written statement from the Alabama Department of Public Health.

At least 58 patients treated for oil-related ailments, say health officials