The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services has reported a Shigella outbreak. At least 25 people have been sickened in the past two weeks; there are ordinarily six cases a year. Most of the cases are children who are in day care.
Shigella is a bacteria found in human feces. People often get sick when they drink water contaminated with the bacteria. Symptoms of this illness include diarrhea, which may be bloody, abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. Most people get sick about two to three days after exposure.
The illnesses are very similar to other gastrointestinal illnesses, which can make diagnosis difficult. Shigellosis can cause dehydration, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), reactive arthritis, and other serious complications.
Anti-diarrhea agents should not be given to anyone with this infection, because it can make the illness worse. Anyone with this illness, or any diarrheal illness should not handle or prepare food for others, should stay home from work, and should not go to day care centers or schools. In addition, anyone with a Shigella infection or a diarrheal illness should stay out of shared swimming pools and water parks.
To prevent the spread of this infection, hand-washing is critical, both after using the bathroom or after changing diapers. If children get feces on their hands and then play with toys, those toys can be contaminated and other children can get sick.
If you or a loved one have experienced these symptoms and have had a child in a day care setting, see your doctor. It’s important to get proper treatment and help for this type of infection.
