SHIGELLA

SHIGELLA. Shigella are bacteria that can infect the digestive tract and cause a wide range of symptoms including diarrhea, cramping, vomiting, and nausea, to more serious complications and illnesses. Infections, called shigellosis, sometimes go away on their own; antibiotics can shorten the course of the illness.

Shigellosis, which is most common during the summer months, typically affects children 2 to 4 years old, and rarely infects infants younger than 6 months old. These infections are very contagious and can be prevented with good hand washing practices.

The severity of the diarrhea sets shigellosis apart from regular diarrhea. In kids with shigellosis, the first bowel movement is often large and watery. Later bowel movements may be smaller, but the diarrhea may have blood and mucus in it.

In very severe cases of shigellosis, a person may have convulsions (seizures), a stiff neck, a headache, extreme tiredness, and confusion. Shigellosis can also lead to dehydration and in rare cases, other complications, like arthritis, skin rashes, and kidney failure. Some children with severe cases of shigellosis may need to be hospitalized.

Shigellosis is very contagious. Someone may become infected by coming into in contact with something contaminated by stool from an infected person. This includes toys, surfaces in restrooms, and even food prepared by someone who is infected. For instance, kids who touch a contaminated surface such as a toilet or toy and then put their fingers in their mouths can become infected. Shigella can even be carried and spread by flies that have touched contaminated stool.

Because it doesn't take many Shigella bacteria to cause an infection, the illness spreads easily in families and child-care centers. The bacteria may also spread in water supplies in areas where there is poor sanitation. Shigella can be passed in the person's stool for about 4 weeks even after the obvious symptoms of illness have resolved.

In August 1974 health officials were forced to conclude that shigella bacteria were in the MISSISSIPPI RIVER to a degree without precedent in U.S. records. In the preceding month there were fifty-six confirmed cases. Although health officials were baffled how the fragile organism could survive in the river, their conclusion that the river was the transmitter was reached after surveying 104 people who had been at the Massey Station recreation area where the first cases were reported.

The circumstances of the outbreak were potentially ideal. The river was at a five year low level and the temperatures were at their highest in 19. Officials were convinced at Massey Station was not responsible. The contamination came from upstream. Despite repeated efforts and many theories, the source of the disease was not determined. In 1975 the city reported only one case of shigellosis. Health officials credited heavy chlorination of sewage, high river levels, and a swimming restrictions on the improved health. Officials were also hoping that the city's secondary sewage system to be completed in the fall of 1975 would help solve the problem.

Although health conditions improved, the city suffered from its identification with the illness. Marina operators reported that boaters, vacationers, and some permanent residents had taken their recreation elsewhere.