Shigella outbreak tops list of foodborne illness outbreaks from 2000 to 2004

Posted by Shigella Attorney on November 22, 2006

The Knoxnews Web site posted a recent article on the ten largest foodborne illness outbreaks reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2000 to 2004. Among the outbreaks were two Shigella outbreaks:

An outbreak of the Shigella sonnei bacteria, usually spread through human feces, infected 964 people in seven West Texas counties during a four-month period in 2003. More than 70 percent of the victims were children under 12. The outbreak began as a food-borne illness, but also spread through person-to-person contact.

An 886-person outbreak of the Shigella flexneri bacteria began at the Shish Kabob Snack Bar in Port Washington, N.Y., and spread to four other restaurants in May 2001. Investigators concluded that an infected worker at a produce-distribution plant had contaminated a shipment of bruised tomatoes."

Also according to the article, a total of 7,840 adults and children got sick or died after contracting a foodborne illness. You can read about more foodborne illness outbreaks that were rported at the Knox News site here.

BillingsGazette.com :: Shigellosis outbreak continues

Posted by Shigella Attorney on November 21, 2006

According to a story in the Billings Gazette, at least 12 people have been hospitalized with Shigella infections since an outbreak began in Wyoming a few months ago. "The number of people coming down with shigellosis, a gastrointestinal infection caused by bacteria, has grown to at least 35 as of Monday, according to the Indian Health Service and the Wyoming Department of Health," the Gazette reported.

A Wyoming Department of Health spokesperson said that the majority of ill people are school-aged children.

Shigella outbreak reported in South Dakota

Posted by Shigella Attorney on November 07, 2006
South Dakota health officials are warning that at least 300 people have become ill with Shigella infections since May. Children are most at risk for contracting and spreading the infection, and children age 4 and under represent 45 percent of cases. Eleven percent of victims of this outbreak have been hospitalized. Proper hygiene can prevent Shigella infection. See more in the Argus Leader.

Shigella outbreak sickens 17

Posted by Shigella Attorney on November 07, 2006

The Billings Gazette is reporting that at least 17 people have become ill with Shigellosis in Fremont County, Wyoming. Health officials have not determined the source of the outbreak, but are concerned that infected individuals are now passing the infection from person to person.

"'It doesn't appear that there's any large common source of food or water' causing the infections, said Dr. Tracy Murphy, the Wyoming state epidemiologist. 'It's being spread now through one infected person through another.'

Shigellosis is caused by the shigella sonnei bacterium, which occurs in fecal matter. It can cause abdominal cramping, loose or bloody stools and fever. It can be fatal in severe cases, although that's uncommon.

Murphy said anyone who thinks they might be infected should avoid going to school or work and should see a doctor."

Shigella dysenteriae

Posted by Shigella Attorney on November 06, 2006

Adopt A Microbe has a brief background about Shigella dysenteriae posted. What Shigella dysenteriae has to say about itself and its cousins: "We all cause bacterial dysentery, a diarrhoea with blood and pus. We can do this because we have Shiga toxin. We can be transmitted on clothes and furniture."

You can read more about Shigella here.