State: Outbreak coming to an end

Posted on February 28, 2007 by Shigella Attorney
RIVERTON - A state health official says Fremont County's outbreak of shigellosis, a gastrointestinal infection caused by bacteria, is coming to an end.

"We haven't seen a case since late January, so we think the biggest part of the outbreak is over," said Kelly Weidenbach, surveillance epidemiologist for the Wyoming Health Department.

So far, 102 cases have been identified, most of them in children, including 16 children who were hospitalized.

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BillingsGazette.com :: Shigellosis outbreak continues

Posted on November 21, 2006 by Shigella Attorney

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.

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Shigella outbreak sickens 17

Posted on November 7, 2006 by Shigella Attorney

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."

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