Poor Ohio!   Its taken a brunt from the Nebraska Beef E. coli outbreak.  It’s had ten cases of Salmonella Saintpaul.   And, now its in the middle of a nasty outbreak of Shigella.

According to Channel 4 in Columbus, the NBC affiliate,  health officials have confirmed 148 cases of Shigellosis — an intestinal bacteria infection in the Ohio city.  And 114 of those were confirmed in the last week –with much of the bacteria being spread from family member to family member.

NBC 4 reported that:

The bacteria are spread by feces and also by young children who have diarrhea going into a public swimming pool.

Officials said it is particularly a problem in small backyard swimming pools that do not have filters or chlorine.

The effects of Shigella last about a week and those who are infected may need antibiotics to recover. But officials said, chances are that it will go away on its own after about one week.

Columbus and Franklin County’s Health Commissioners, advise the following practices to limit the spread of this infection:

  • 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 daycare centers and homes with children who have not been fully toilet trained.  
  • Do not prepare food for others while ill with diarrhea.
  • Keep kitchen work surfaces clean (area should be wiped down with a disinfectant such as diluted household bleach 1:10 dilution made fresh daily, Lysol* or anti-bactericidal wipes)
  • Individuals who have diarrhea should not go swimming in pools or water parks.
  • Strongly recommend day care centers eliminate the use of equipment and activities that involve the use of water such as kiddy pools that may act as a reservoir and vehicle for spread of enteric organisms like Shigella, Cryptosporidium and Giardia especially if any student or staff member has loose stool. 

Go here for latest on Shigella from NBC4.