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Cause:
Bacteria in the genus Shigella, typically S. sonnei. Other species
including S. flexneri, S. boydii, or S. dysenteriae are more common
in developing countries.
Illness and treatment:
Symptoms include fever, watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue and headache.
Most persons will recover without treatment. Antibiotics may be used to shorten the
duration of intestinal excretion of the organism.
Sources:
Humans are the only reservoir, transmitting through feces-contaminated food or water or
through person-to-person transmission, including oral-anal sex. Outbreaks are occasionally
associated with child care or food service facilities.
Additional risks:
Ingesting very few organisms can cause infection. Outbreaks occur under conditions of
crowding and poor hygiene, putting institutions for children, mental hospitals,
prisons, and refugee facilities at additional risk.
Prevention:
Wash hands carefully including cleaning under the nails with soap and water after
defecation or changing diapers and before food handling.
Recent Washington trends:
Each year there are 116 to 185 reports.
2010:
112 cases were reported (1.7 cases/100,000 population). Shigellosis was diagnosed most
frequently in children 1 to 4 years of age. 50% of cases were associated with travel outside
of the United States. The most frequently reported travel destinations were Mexico and India.
Purpose of Reporting and Surveillance
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To identify outbreaks and potential sources of ongoing transmission.
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To prevent further transmission from such sources.
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To educate people about how to reduce their risk of infection.
Legal Reporting Requirements
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Health care providers:
notifiable to local health jurisdiction within 24 hours
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Health care facilities:
notifiable to local health jurisdiction within 24 hours
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Laboratories:
Shigella species notifiable to local health jurisdiction within 24 hours;
specimen submission required – culture (2 business days)
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Local health jurisdiction:
notifiable to DOH Communicable Disease Epidemiology (CDE) within 7 days of case
investigation completion or summary information required within 21 days.
Last update
December 2011 |
