FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 22, 2010

Shigella increases in Kansas City metro area

Metropolitan area health departments note a significant increase in shigellosis cases reported in the metropolitan area and urge residents to protect themselves and their families by taking simple prevention steps.

Shigellosis is an illness caused by Shigella bacteria infection that can be spread from person to person, especially in child or adult care centers. It can also be spread through contaminated food or water. Since January 1, there have been 285 cases reported in the metro area. In an average year, 10 to 15 cases are reported. The last large outbreak of shigellosis in the metro was in 2005, when more than 900 cases were reported.

Symptoms of shigellosis may include:

• Diarrhea or loose stools, which may be in small amounts, accompanied by nausea and fever
• Stools which contain blood and/or mucus
• Vomiting, stomach cramps and straining to urinate or pass stool without the ability to do so

Symptoms usually begin within one to three days after exposure, but have been known to begin anywhere from 12 hours to four days after exposure. People are contagious from the time they begin to feel ill until the time no more Shigella organisms are in their stools.

If you or your child have these symptoms, seek medical attention. Treatment with the appropriate medicine can reduce the amount of time you are contagious. Untreated, Shigella organisms can remain for four weeks or more. Young children, the elderly and those who are malnourished may have more severe illness when infected.

“It only takes a very small amount of the bacteria to make someone sick,” said Dr. Rex Archer, director of the city of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department. “A sick person can spread the illness very easily if they and those around them are not extremely careful to keep their hands clean.”

The following steps help prevent or slow the spread of this illness:

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm, running water.
• If you have been diagnosed with shigellosis or other foodborne illness, do not prepare food or drinks until a doctor’s test shows that you no longer have the infection.
• Dispose of diapers from those who are infected by putting them in a garbage can with a closed lid, and wash your hands and the child’s hands carefully after changing and disposing of the diaper. Diaper changing areas should be disinfected after every change.
• Keep children and adults with diarrhea out of pools, spas and saunas for at least two weeks after the end of the diarrhea.
• Do not wade in public fountains at any time.
• Do not allow children who are infected to play in water tables or sand boxes or to play with molding clay or anything else that cannot be cleaned.

Certain groups must receive medical permission to return to work, including child care employees and children who attend child care, food handlers and health care workers.

If you have any questions, contact your local health department for more information.

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