Shigella in Kansas City

“The scientific name, shigellosis, is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called shigella” (CDC, 2015). Shigella is very similar to salmonella, as it is a bacterium that affects the gastrointestinal tract of humans. Shigella is spread through the fecal-oral route, so in order to become infected with the bacteria you have to come in contact with an individual’s fecal matter that is currently infected with the shigella bacteria. “Shigella causes about 500,000 cases of diarrhea in the United States annually” (CDC, 2015). It usually takes several days for the symptoms of shigella to begin. According to the CDC, once the symptoms do occur they can range from diarrhea (often containing blood or mucus), abdominal pain and cramps, and fever. According to Medicinenet.com, the symptoms last a few days and will clear up on their own. Medical attention is not normally needed unless severe symptoms take place such as dehydration or fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

As stated in the first paragraph shigella is spread through contaminated fecal matter. Children aged two to four can easily pick up this bacterium by drinking or eating anything that is contaminated by this bacterium or even being in close quarters with someone who is infected with this bacterium. It is spread very easily through daycare centers because the daycare workers don’t ensure proper hygiene when dealing with dirty diapers and then preparing food for lunch or snacks. Once one child in a daycare has contracted shigella, it spreads like wildfire, and within a few short days a daycare can be shut down due to the high volume of children coming down sick with the bacterium (Green, 2014). 

This graph shows the number of cases of shigella in regards to the onset of symptoms. Graph was retrieved from the CDC website

Prevention of shigella is very simple if proper measures are taken to avoid the spread of the disease. The number one way someone can prevent the spread of shigella is making sure they frequently and correctly wash their hands. You should wash your hands for 30 seconds with soap and warm water. In a daycare setting you can prevent the spread of the disease by washing your hands every time you change or handle a dirty diaper. You must also dispose of dirty diapers properly and it never hurts to disinfect the surface you used to change the diaper. If you are a daycare worker you should encourage that children frequently wash their hands with warm water and soap as well, especially before lunch and snack time (Green, 2014). As parents the best way you can prevent the spread of shigella is by taking your child out of daycare if you suspect that they have become infected with the disease. You should wait at least 24 hours from the last onset of symptoms to allow your child to go back to daycare.

For more information contact: Kansas City Department of Health

Phone: 816-513-6365 Email: kcmo.gov/health

References:

General Information. (2015, June 5). Retrieved September 10, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/shigella/

Green, N. (2014). Shigella Infections. Retrieved September 10, 2015, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/shigella.html#

Shigella Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What is the government doing about shigellosis? - MedicineNet. (n.d.). Retrieved September 14, 2015, from http://www.medicinenet.com/shigella_infection/page6.htm#some_tips_for_preventing_the_spread_of_shigellosis