Shigella is a type of bacteria with over 30 known species. It is found in the human intestinal tract and on rare occasions can be found in other animals. Shigella is passed from person-to-person by fecal-oral route or fecal contamination of food and water. Most outbreaks result from food prepared and handled by workers with poor personal hygiene. Shigella causes shigellosis or bacillary dysentery. Victims of this foodborne illness experience diarrhea (which can be bloody), fever, abdominal cramps, chills and vomiting. Onset of the shigellosis occurs 12 to 48 hours from ingestion of the foodborne pathogen and can last from a few days to two weeks.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2010
