KDHE Home - News 1999 - News Release
Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary
For Immediate Release
Sharon Watson, KDHE: 785-296-1529
Public Health Agencies Investigate Shigellosis Outbreak in Ford Co.
There have been five culture-confirmed cases to date and several suspect cases of shigellosis connected to Ford County since the beginning of October. Three of the culture-confirmed cases occurred in November. Two cases were reported in Ford County during all of 1998 and three in 1999 before October. Similar outbreaks have been seen in south-central and southeast Kansas within the last month.
Cherokee County has reported ten culture-confirmed cases in recent weeks, with five of them occurring from October to November. In Pratt County, ten culture-confirmed cases have been reported since early October. Five of those cases resulted in hospitalization. Other suspect cases are being investigated in both counties.
All the cases in Ford County have occurred among or been associated with children attending kindergartens, daycare centers, or the early elementary grades. No known connection to long-term care facilities, food establishments, or health care facilities has been established.The Ford County Health Department, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and staff from the local schools and daycare centers are 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.
Shigellosis 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 contamination of food or water. Only humans can become infected with shigellosis.
Affected individuals often experience bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, and abdominal cramps. People who have these symptoms and are involved with food preparation, food service, patient care, or the care of young children and the elderly should refrain from such activities until they have been evaluated by a physician and have been determined to be non-infectious to others. Symptomatic children should be excluded from daycare and school until their diarrhea stops.
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, those with severe chronic health problems, 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 shigellosis is thorough hand washing with soap and warm running water. Disinfectant lotions and hand creams are not adequate substitutes. Hands should be washed after going to the toilet, after changing diapers, before handling food, and before eating.
Good hand washing technique during includes:
For more information on good hand washing practices, visit the KDHE home page at http://www.kdheks.gov/ and click on the "Did You Wash 'Em?" graphic.
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