Shigella was in the news this week following an outbreak of Shigellosis linked to a Subway restaurant in Lombard, Illinois. With eight confirmed cases of Shigella food poisoning and other possibly related illnesses reported, the Subway restaurant was closed. In addition, South Carolina’s St. James High School in Horry County had to be disinfected following an outbreak of stomach related ailments. Although there was no positively identified source of the sickness, The Sun Times online reported on this story and stated that Pee Dee Elementary school parents did received letters from the Department of Health and Environmental Control in February stating that confirmed Shigella cases had been reported at that school. Another school, Midland Elementary, had reported cases of Norovirus recently.
The Center for Disease Control describes how there are many different types of Shigella bacteria. The majority of United States Shigellosis cases are linked to the bacteria Shigella sonnei. A different Shigella bacteria, known as Shigella flexneri, can lead to a form of arthritis in genetically prone individuals. Shigella is a form of food poisoning, but it can also be passed from hand to mouth if an individual comes in contact with an infected surface or item. According to KidsHealth.org’s webpage on Shigella Infection, Shigella foodborne illness can cause vomiting, stomach pain, as well as watery or bloody diarrhea. Shigella often affects children between the ages of two and four. This website states that more severe cases of Shigellosis can lead to “convulsions (seizures), a stiff neck, a headache, extreme tiredness, and confusion.” Dehydration can also be a Shigella related complication.
Web MD states that nearly 18,000 individuals contract Shigella in the United States annually. Interestingly, Shigella bacteria can survive in water and individuals who swim in or drink contaminated water can contract Shigellosis. Shigellosis symptoms usually last a week; however, some individuals never have symptoms yet can pass Shigella bacteria to other people. Also, after symptoms have passed, an individual can still transmit Shigella bacteria to others.
Because Shigella is highly contagious, individuals preparing food following an infection, or feeding infected individuals must be very careful. In addition, since toddlers are at the greatest risk and most frequently suffer from Shigellosis, daycare workers and parents must be careful not to infect themselves or others following diaper changes and feedings.
Places experiencing an outbreak of Shigellosis must be properly disinfected or the bacteria can survive and additional individuals can become victims of the outbreak. This is likely one reason why the Subway restaurant was closed and the South Carolina High school was being treated. Families whose members have shigellosis must take similar precautions.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2010
