A Shigella outbreak in Seattle, Washington is associated with Eric Gorbman Catering. At least 17 people are sick in this outbreak, which occurred at private Bar Mitzvah parties catered by that facility at Temple Beth Am and Temple Beth Shalom in Seattle. One person has been hospitalized. And one of the ill persons has a lab-confirmed Shigella infection. At least two catering employees have reported illnesses, but they ldid not report being ill while they were working those events. Public Health - Seattle & King County say that it is likely that they were exposed at the event rather than being the source of this outbreak. More food items were brought potluck style by attendees. If you or someone in your family attended an event at either temple on Saturday, March 3, 2018 and … [Read more...]
Shigella Outbreak in Nelson and Hardin Counties, KY
A Shigella outbreak in Nelson and Hardin Counties, Kentucky, has been confirmed by Donny Gill, Harm Reduction Manager at the Lincoln Trail District Health Department. Just over 50 cases have been reported to the health department. Most of those sickened are children. The source "has been determined to be a Nelson county daycare center," according to Mr. Gill. That daycare has not been named. Mirna Chamorro, Public Information Officer at the Florida Department of Health, Seminole County, also confirmed the outbreak. She said that letters were sent to parents to provide general information on Shigella and to let parents know that if their children have symptoms, keep them at home until 48 hours after symptoms have passed. Mr. Gill told WDRB.com that people most at risk for this … [Read more...]
Shigella Outbreak Causes Voluntary Closure of Souplantation in Camarillo, CA
An increase in Shigella infections in Ventura County, California has led to the voluntary, temporary closure of the Souplantation restaurant in Camarillo. Officials were notified on Thursday, June 22, 2017 about an unusual number of cases in the county. Ventura County Public Health officials said that eight people have been diagnosed with the illness. Seven of those patients ate at the Souplantation restaurant before they got sick. The eighth patient was a "household contact" of one of the seven sickened. Shigella is a highly contagious bacteria that causes about half a million illnesses in the United States every year. Symptoms include diarrhea that can be bloody, fever, and abdominal pain and cramps. Most people recover without a doctor's care in about a week, but some do … [Read more...]
CDC Joins Shigella Outbreak Investigation in Michigan
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has joined the investigation of the 2016 Shigella outbreak in Michigan that has sickened 177 people. Those cases are in two counties: Saginaw and Genesee, which is where Flint is located. At least 27 people have been hospitalized in this particular outbreak because their illnesses were so severe. Officials say that there were fewer new shigellosis cases in September, and the cases that were reported in October are being analyzed. The CDC is working with state and local officials, partner organizations, and community residents to try to find the source of this outbreak. The illnesses in this outbreak were reported to public health officials between March 1 and October 26, 2016. While there are typically about 300 to 400 cases of … [Read more...]
Shigella Outbreak in Moberly MO Public Schools
News reports are stating that a Shigella outbreak has occurred at Moberly Public Schools in Missouri in September 2016. "Several" cases at those schools occurred, and cases are now declining. There is no mention of this outbreak on the Randolph County Health Department website or the Moberly Public Schools website. A Shigella outbreak last spring in Moniteau County in central Missouri sickened at least 70 people. That outbreak was also centered on schools. A letter was sent to parents at the end of September, asking them to keep children home if they are experiencing the symptoms of shigellosis, the illness caused by this bacteria. ABC17 states that the letter says 23 people were sickened in this outbreak. Those symptoms include diarrhea that can be bloody, vomiting, fever, … [Read more...]
Shigella Outbreak in Flint, Michigan Adds to City’s Woes
A Shigella outbreak in Flint, Michigan in Genesee County is compounding the trouble in that city that began when an administrator appointed by Governor Rick Snyder switched the city's water supply from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department to the Flint River to save money. Government officials did not treat the water with anti-corrosive compounds. Residents began complaining almost immediately about foul-smelling, discolored water. The water was so corrosive it leached lead from old pipes in the city's water system and homes. Many of the city's children have now suffered lead poisoning, with possibly permanent health consequences. A Legionnaires' Disease outbreak, which sickened 87 people and killed 10 people, may have also been connected to the water switch, although no … [Read more...]
New Mexico Warns of Increase in Shigella Illnesses
The New Mexico Department of Health is warning people that there is an increase of shigellosis cases in that state. Most of the cases are in Lea and Eddy County. At least 36 people have been identified in this outbreak; most were children associated with child care centers and their family members. Shigellosis is a bacterial disease with symptoms of fever, nausea, diarrhea that may be bloody, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Some people may develop toxemia as a complication from this infection, which is blood poisoning caused by toxins produced by the pathogenic bacteria. People usually get sick within one to seven days after exposure to Shigella. This bacteria is very contagious. The shigella bacteria are found in feces of an infected person. People get sick when they ingest a … [Read more...]
Shigella Outbreak in Central Missouri Sickens 70
The Moniteau County Health Department is investigating a Shigella outbreak in central Missouri. That town, in central Missouri, has more than 70 cases among students, faculty, and family members. Officials are not identifying the school district where this outbreak is occurring, but ABC17 has said it is Tipton. The schools in that county are Tipton, California, Clarksburg Elementary, Jamestown High School, Latham Elementary School, and others. Andrea Kincaid, RN/Administrator at the Moniteau County Health Center stated, "we have been actively involved in educating school officials and families on how to minimize transmission of this bacteria." Shigella infections are very contagious and can spread from young children to other family members and people in the community. People … [Read more...]
Shigella Outbreak Sickens 167 in Dubuque County, Iowa
A Shigella outbreak that has sickened at least 167 people in Dubuque County, Iowa. The outbreak began in October 2015, but officials have just released information about it. The Dubuque County Health Department, the Dubuque County Board of Health, and the Iowa Department of Public Health are all investigating the outbreak. Shigellosis is the illness caused by this pathogenic bacteria. Symptoms include diarrhea that may be painful, bloody or full of mucous, fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. The bacteria is very contagious and is easy spread through food and drink, and person-to-person. The illness usually begins one to three days after exposure to the bacteria. Some people may have GI problems for several months after this illness. Shigellosis can develop into reactive … [Read more...]
New Cases of Shigellosis in Winnebago County, Illinois
The Winnebago County Health Department in Illinois is reporting additional cases of Shigellosis in the area, bring the new total to 152 since October 2015. Most of these cases have affected children in daycare and elementary schools. Shigellosis is a diarrheal illness that causes diarrhea that can be bloody, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. Symptoms usually begin one to day days after exposure to the pathogenic bacteria, which is very infectious. The illness is spread by contaminated hands touching food or drink or your mouth. Surfaces such as toys, bathroom fixtures, diaper pails, and changing tables can become contaminated by feces from an infected person. The epidemiologic curve has slowed. The peak of the outbreak was in late November 2015 to late December 2015. No one source … [Read more...]
