Outbreak of Shigellosis Hits Pittsburgh Area

Posted on June 25, 2010 by Bill Marler

The Allegheny County Health Department is taking special measures to slow an outbreak of diarrheal illness known as shigellosis. Health Department spokesman Guillermo Cole says shigella infections began to increase countywide last October and there have been 97 cases reported so far this year. That compares to 41 in 2009 and only 12 in 2008. Other parts of the state including neighboring counties are also experiencing shigella outbreaks. Cole says nearly half of the local cases were children 5 or younger.

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Three Children Hospitalized in Kentucky with Shigella

Posted on June 10, 2010 by Shigella Lawyer

According to various press reports, State health official say three children were hospitalized in western Kentucky in an unusually large outbreak of a bacterial infection that causes watery diarrhea and spreads easily.  Janie Cambron, regional epidemiologist for the Green River District Health Department, said Wednesday the children have since been released after contracting shigella, a bacterial infection spread through just a tiny amount of infected fecal matter.

Cambron says there were 80 reported cases of the disease as of Friday in Daviess County, and three in adjacent Ohio County.  Dr. William Hacker, commissioner of the state public health department, says shigella is common and usually affects children. He says some years in Kentucky, as few as 50 or many as 500 cases are seen sporadically.

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Kentucky Shigella cases number at least 67

Posted on June 9, 2010 by Bill Marler

Health officials in Ohio County are reporting three confirmed cases of Shigella.  Daviess County is already dealing with 64 confirmed cases.

Health officials tell NEWS 25 there are no new cases in Daviess County, but this is the first news of the bacteria spreading around the Tri-State.  Shigella is contracted by contaminated food or water, or through human contact. Common symptoms are diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and cramps.  Washing and sanitizing your hands can prevent the spread of germs.

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