The following is a press release from the Mississippi State Department of Health:
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is investigating an increase in cases of shigellosis originating in Lauderdale County. Shigellosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Shigella bacteria. The most common symptoms are diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, and stomach cramps. Shigellosis usually goes away on its own in a few days and rarely requires hospitalization.
Shigella is passed from person to person when there is poor hand washing after a bowel movement or diaper change. Infection can then occur by hand to mouth contact or by eating food prepared by workers with contaminated hands.
According to Acting State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers, hand washing is the best method of preventing the spread of shigellosis and many other communicable diseases.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
