Greene County Public Health

Educates Community Regarding Shigella

(Xenia, OH) Each year, about 18,000 cases of Shigella are reported in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because many milder cases of Shigella are not diagnosed or reported, the CDC estimates that the actual number of cases may be 20 times greater. In Greene County, there were two (2) cases in 2006 and eight (8) cases in 2007. Currently, there is one (1) case in Greene County; however, there have been persons infected who visit from other counties. There are efforts underway in Greene County to prevent a surge in cases (as has been seen recently in Dayton and Columbus). Both cities have had a huge increase in cases over the last year. Columbus has had 79 cases and Dayton has had 129 cases since the beginning of the year.

Amy Schmitt, the Communicable Disease Nurse for Greene County, states, “We in Public Health are working with day-care centers, doctors, public pool operators, and parents by advising that children who have had diarrhea shouldn't be swimming. Toddlers, especially those who are potty training, are particularly prone to spreading infection. Transmission at day-care centers and in kiddie pools is a prime concern. We are not seeing a spread within Greene County at this point. Our goal is to prevent the spread of infection.”

Shigella infections tend to increase in summer months. Symptoms include diarrhea, which might be bloody, fever and stomach cramps that start one to two days after exposure. Symptoms last about a week. Infection with Shigella rarely requires hospitalization but can cause severe dehydration, particularly in infants and elderly people. Shigella bacteria are spread from person to person through feces, making hand washing of utmost importance. Ms. Schmitt states, “Supervising children while they wash their hands is a good idea, as is encouraging them to sing their ABCs or Happy Birthday twice through to ensure they scrub their hands long enough. Keeping the changing area clean when you’re changing diapers and keeping sick children away from healthy children also are important.”

Under Ohio law, infected children and day-care workers may not return to day-care until they've had two tests showing they're negative for Shigella bacteria. It can remain in the stool for up to a month after people

feel better and can continue to spread to other people, especially family members and playmates.

The Greene County Health Commissioner, Mark McDonnell, MS, RS, advises the following practices to limit the spread of shigellosis:

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 24 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 for others 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 services and health information in Greene County for over 80 years.

360 Wilson Drive, Xenia, OH 45385

For Immediate Release Contact: Shannon Taylor, Asst. Public Information Officer

July 17, 2008 (937) 374-5669 or 1(866) 858-3588

Greene County Public Health

Educates Community Regarding Shigella

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