It’s very likely that you may not have heard about the
outbreak in Kansas City. But due to the
significant numbers and the fact that Public Health officials are seeing an
unusual pattern of resistance I thought I would share.
outbreak in Kansas City. But due to the
significant numbers and the fact that Public Health officials are seeing an
unusual pattern of resistance I thought I would share.
Shigellosis is an infection caused by a family of
bacteria known as Shigella. Shigella is
frequently found in water polluted with human feces, and is transmitted
via the fecal-oral route (e.g. you’re eating poop) directly from
person-to-person and often associated with causing outbreaks in the child care
settings where there is poor hygiene among children. Symptoms generally include
diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever. As a bacterial
infection, it can be treated by antibiotics although often times people can be
asymptomatic and pass the infection on to others without knowing.
bacteria known as Shigella. Shigella is
frequently found in water polluted with human feces, and is transmitted
via the fecal-oral route (e.g. you’re eating poop) directly from
person-to-person and often associated with causing outbreaks in the child care
settings where there is poor hygiene among children. Symptoms generally include
diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever. As a bacterial
infection, it can be treated by antibiotics although often times people can be
asymptomatic and pass the infection on to others without knowing.
Public Health officials from Kansas City Missouri do not
know the source of their current outbreak, but they do know that they are
seeing unprecedented numbers which have mostly struck children in daycare and
elementary schools. From January 1 to July 1 of this year, there were only 16
cases, but in the last 2 months there have been 134 identified cases – 15 times
the yearly average!
know the source of their current outbreak, but they do know that they are
seeing unprecedented numbers which have mostly struck children in daycare and
elementary schools. From January 1 to July 1 of this year, there were only 16
cases, but in the last 2 months there have been 134 identified cases – 15 times
the yearly average!
Health officials are urging people in the Kansas City
area to wash their hands properly with soap and warm water (plain soap is just fine!) to prevent the spread of the illness. It’s also important to use hand
driers or disposable paper towels to dry hands rather than hand towels. Because it does not take very many organisms
of Shigella to become sick, bacteria left behind on the hand towel can in fact
lead to transmission and infection of the next unsuspecting person who is
washing his or her hands.
area to wash their hands properly with soap and warm water (plain soap is just fine!) to prevent the spread of the illness. It’s also important to use hand
driers or disposable paper towels to dry hands rather than hand towels. Because it does not take very many organisms
of Shigella to become sick, bacteria left behind on the hand towel can in fact
lead to transmission and infection of the next unsuspecting person who is
washing his or her hands.
With luck I hope the source of the transmission is found
to avoid more cases. In the
meantime....I’ve been gone for a week, I’m going to go run around the house and
change out our hand towels, dish towels, dish cloths.....I’m not saying we have
Shigella. I’m saying there have only
been two males in the house and you just never know what may be lurking on them
after a week!
to avoid more cases. In the
meantime....I’ve been gone for a week, I’m going to go run around the house and
change out our hand towels, dish towels, dish cloths.....I’m not saying we have
Shigella. I’m saying there have only
been two males in the house and you just never know what may be lurking on them
after a week!
Bugging Off!
Nicole
