Missouri’s Springfield-Greene County Health Department put this statement on their website yesterday:

Hand washing protects you from a number of different illnesses, including colds, viruses and diarrheal illnesses like shigellosis. Greene County has seen an increase in shigellosis cases in the past month. Shigellosis is caused by the Shigella bacteria and is spread easily

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

Several newspapers and TV stations are reporting Shigella outbreaks in different areas today.  The first reported outbreak came from WQAD TV in Illinois, which reported on the Rock Island County Health Department’s investigation into an ongoing Shigella outbreak:

The Rock Island County Health Department says there are more confirmed cases of a fast spreading illness

Shigella is a bacterium that can cause sudden and severe diarrhea (gastroenteritis) in humans. Shigellosis is the name of the disease that Shigella causes. The illness is also known as "bacillary dysentery." Shigella bacteria can infect the intestinal tract after the ingestion of relatively few organisms. This is why shigellosis is the most communicable of

How can a Shigella infection be prevented?

The spread of Shigella from an infected person can be stopped by frequent and careful hand washing with soap and water.[11] The ill individual should practice this, as well as any contacts. Supervised hand washing of all children should be followed in day care centers and as soon

From www.about-shigella.com

Shigella is a genus of bacteria that can cause sudden and severe diarrhea (gastroenteritis) in humans. Shigella thrives in the human intestine and is commonly spread both through food and by person-to-person contact. A Japanese scientist Kiyoshi Shiga discovered these bacteria over 100 years ago. Shigellosis is the name of the disease that

Up to 3% of persons infected with Shigella may later develop a syndrome that includes joint pain and swelling, irritation of the eyes, and sometimes painful urination. This is a reaction to the previous gastroenteritis and is called ìreactive arthritisî or Reiterís Syndrome. Basically, the immune system, intending to fight Shigella, attacks the bodyís cells.

Most people who are infected with Shigella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Severity of the disease ranges from mild to very severe diarrhea. Diarrhea is bloody 25-50% of the time and most often contains mucus. Rectal spasms are common. The illness starts 12 hours to 6 days, usually 1 to 2 days, after exposure

SEATTLE, WA (February 3, 2006) – The Associated Press reported today that a Shigella outbreak in Yamhill County likely originated from food served at Tommyís Restaurant in McMinnville between January 23 and January 27. Several people have become ill with Shigellosis, and health officials are warning residents to use safe food handling practices and proper hygiene to prevent the further spread of illness.
Marler Clark, the Seattle law firm that has represented thousands of victims of foodborne illness, has here provided information about Shigella, its symptoms, risks of infection, and how to prevent secondary cases.
What is Shigella?
Shigella is a bacterium that can cause sudden and severe diarrhea (gastroenteritis) in humans. Shigellosis is the name of the disease that Shigella causes. The illness is also known as “bacillary dysentery.” Shigella bacteria can infect the intestinal tract after the ingestion of relatively few organisms. This is why shigellosis is the most communicable of the bacterial-induced diarrheas.
The source of Shigella bacteria is the excrement (feces) of an infected individual that is ultimately ingested by another person.Continue Reading Yamhill County outbreak cause for concern