Shigella outbreak in Knox County
WATE reported this morning that at least ten children in Knox County schools have become ill with Shigellosis, an illness caused by the Shigella bacterium. Because it is easily spread in young children, the Knox County Health Department is warning parents to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Shigellosis. As reported by WATE:
It is estimated that over 6,000 hospitalizations for shigellosis occur each year in the U.S. Complications of Shigella infection include severe dehydration, seizures in small children, rectal bleeding, and invasion of the blood stream by the bacteria. In the U.S., it is estimated that about 70 persons die yearly from shigellosis, with small children and the elderly at greatest risk of dying.
More can be learned about Shigella and Shigellosis at Foodborneillness.com.
The Knox County Health Department confirmed on Thursday there are seven cases at Powell Elementary School, one at Inskip Elementary and another case involving a two-year-old.While shigellosis usually resolves in five to seven days, it may be several months before an affected person’s bowel habits are entirely normal. In some persons, especially young children, the elderly, and immune compromised persons, the diarrhea can be so severe that the affected person needs to be hospitalized for dehydration.
Health officials say shigellosis isn't just a concern for schools. It could become a problem for the community because it's so contagious.
It is estimated that over 6,000 hospitalizations for shigellosis occur each year in the U.S. Complications of Shigella infection include severe dehydration, seizures in small children, rectal bleeding, and invasion of the blood stream by the bacteria. In the U.S., it is estimated that about 70 persons die yearly from shigellosis, with small children and the elderly at greatest risk of dying.
More can be learned about Shigella and Shigellosis at Foodborneillness.com.
Comments (1)
Read through and enter the discussion by using the form at the endBarbara Carbone - December 22, 2007 10:06 PM
Sept 8th we left for a cruise starting in Kiev, Ukraine. 8th day out on the cruise I became very ill with diarrhea and very bad stomach pains. visited the ship's doctor who spoke no english 3 times. He did give meds but when I got home I saw my own doc and she sent me for tests. I tested positve for shigellosis, now I have terrible pains in my bones and the rest of my body. I have seen 4 doctors for this and the last mentioned it could be from the shigellosis. The tour company want nothing to do with the problem. Most of the people were German and French and many of them were sick. You can have the name of the company and the Rep in the USA. and the letters I wrote to them I am Angry>