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...]
After Shigella Outbreak Sickens 194, Mariscos San Juan Reopens
After being linked to a Shigella outbreak that sickened 194 people, Mariscos San Juan restaurant #3 on 205 N. 4th Street in San Jose reopened today. The restaurant was cleared to reopen by health officials after sanitizing the facility and throwing away all food. Health officials have not been able to discover the source of the bacteria that sickened customers who visited the restaurant on Friday October 16th or Saturday, October 17th. One employee was also among those sickened, but health authorities don't believe the employee was the source of the contamination. Shigellosis does not have a “season.” Although Shigella can affect people of all ages, young children are at greatest risk. Outbreaks are most often associated with daycare or child care centers. Nationwide, about 500,000 … [Read more...]
Shigella Outbreak Linked to Mariscos San Juan in CA Grows Again
The shigella outbreak linked to the Mariscos San Juan No. 3 restaurant at 205 North 4th Street in San Jose, California has grown again. As of October 27, 2015, there are 190 people sick. Ninety-two patients have been lab confirmed. So far, people living in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Santa Cruz, Main, and Mercid counties are sick. Almost all of those sickened ate at the restaurant on Friday, October 16 or Saturday October 17, 2015. People contract a shigella infection by coming into contact with an infected person, by touching a surface contaminated with feces containing the bacteria, or by consuming food or beverages contaminated with infected feces. Shigella bacteria are very contagious, so secondary infections are almost certain to occur. Shigella bacteria cause an illness … [Read more...]
Shigella Outbreak at CA Mariscos San Juan Restaurant Grows to 182 Sick
As of 5:00 pm October 23, 2015, the number of outbreak-associated cases of Shigella food poisoning reported to the Santa Clara County Public health Department is 182. Of these cases, 144 people live in Santa Clara County. Thirty-eight reported cases live in other counties. Of the 182 total cases, 72 are lab confirmed. Other counties affected in this outbreak include Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Marin, and Merced. Almost all of the cases reported that they ate at Mariscos San Juan No. 3 restaurant on Friday, October 16 or Saturday, October 17, 2015. This outbreak has been growing steadily since it was first reported on October 20, 2105. Many of the patients in this outbreak have been hospitalized, and some have had to be admitted to intensive care. The Mariscos San Juan No. 3 … [Read more...]
What Caused the Shigella Outbreak at Mariscos San Juan Restaurant in California?
A Shigella outbreak at the Mariscos San Juan No. 3 restaurant in San Jose, California has sickened at least 98 people, according to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. Twenty-four people have been diagnosed with shigellosis, the illness caused by this bacteria. And 12 people are in intensive care units at hospitals as a result of their illness. The numbers were updated October 21, 2015 by the Health Department. Public health officials are interviewing and testing all food handlers at the restaurant. The owner and employees of the restaurant are cooperating with the investigation. Health officials in Santa Cruz county are currently investigating five more "suspect cases" that may be linked to the restaurant. What caused this outbreak, and why are people so sick? First, … [Read more...]
