KDHE Home - News 1999 - News Release
Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mike Heideman, 785-296-1529
Public Health Agencies Investigate Shigella Outbreak in Pratt Co.
There have been six culture-confirmed cases and several suspect cases of shigella in Pratt County since the beginning of October. Five of the culture-confirmed cases have been hospitalized with no deaths.
Many of the cases have been connected to day care centers, but no known connection to long-term care facilities, food establishments, or health care facilities has been established. The most recent suspect cases have included elementary and high school students.
The Pratt County Health Department, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and staff from the local hospital and day cares have been working together to prevent further spread of infection. A coordinated, intense public health campaign with more active surveillance is currently underway to emphasize the severity of the disease and promote methods of preventing transmission.
Shigella is usually spread from infected people whose hands are not adequately washed after using the toilet. People can transfer the bacteria to other people directly or through food or water.
Affected individuals often experience bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, and abdominal cramps. People who have these symptoms and are involved with food handling, patient care, or the care of young children and the elderly must be excluded from such responsibilities until two negative cultures are obtained at least 24 hours apart and no sooner than 48 hours following discontinuation of antibiotics. Symptomatic children should be excluded from day care and school until their diarrhea stops. Only humans can become infected with shigella.
Illness usually lasts four to seven days, but may continue for weeks or months. The incubation period ranges from 12 to 96 hours, but may be as long as one week. The disease is more severe in young children than in adults. The elderly, the debilitated, and the immuno-compromised of all ages are particularly susceptible to severe disease and death.
The single most important way to prevent the spread of shigella is careful hand washing with soap and water. Hands should be washed after going to the toilet, after changing diapers, before handling food, and before eating.
Proper hand washing technique includes:
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