Mark A. McDonnell, RS, MS, Health
Commissioner
Robert P. Dillaplain, MD, Medical
Director
News Release
For Immediate
Release
Contact: Sara T. Pappa, Public Information Officer
December 17, 2008
(937) 374-5600 or 1-866-858-3588
Shigellosis Cases on the Rise
(Xenia, OH)
The Greene County Combined Health District (GCCHD) has seen an increase
in the number of cases of shigellosis over the past two (2) months. According to the Ohio Department of
Health Infectious Disease Surveillance, Greene
County currently has 43 cases; Montgomery County
has 323; with a total of 1,765 for Ohio
so far in 2008. In 2007, there were
1,277 cases and in 2006, 200 cases.
Shigella, which
primarily infects young children, is transmitted through contact with the stool
of an infected person. It causes an illness called shigellosis, with symptoms
including diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting. Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused
by a group of bacteria known as Shigella. The illness can be treated
with antibiotics. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required to avoid
dehydration.
“Typically, we see less than 12 cases per year," said
Amy Schmitt, Communicable Disease Nurse at Greene County.
"We are working with doctors'
offices and childcare centers to educate them about preventing the spread of Shigella in the community.”
Nurse Schmitt has been working with local centers for
several weeks to remind them of proper hand washing techniques and to make sure
the children and staff who have shigellosis remain at home until they have
completed treatment and have a negative stool culture.
The Greene County Health Commissioner, Mark McDonnell, MS, RS, advises the following
practices to limit the spread of Shigella:
- Wash
hands with soap carefully and frequently, especially after going to the
bathroom, after changing diapers and before preparing foods or beverages.
- Dispose
of soiled diapers properly.
- Disinfect
diaper-changing areas after using them.
- Undiagnosed
children with diarrhea should stay home until diarrhea has stopped for 48
hours.
- Supervise
hand washing of toddlers and small children after they use the toilet,
especially in day-care centers and homes with children who have not been
fully potty trained.
- Do not
prepare food while ill with diarrhea.
- Keep
kitchen work surfaces clean, wiping them down with a disinfectant.
- Individuals
who have diarrhea should not go swimming in pools or water parks.
- Day-care
centers should eliminate the use of equipment and activities that involve
the use of water, such as baby pools.
For questions about Shigella,
contact Amy Schmitt, RN, at (937) 374-5638 or Don
Brannen, the Community Epidemiologist, at (937) 374-5660.
Greene County Combined Health District – Your center for public health
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