KDHE Home - News 1999 - News Release
Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary
For Immediate Release
December 17, 1999
Contact: Beverly Myers, Haskell Co. Health Dept.: 316-675-8191
Sharon Watson, KDHE: 785-296-1529
Public Health Agencies Investigate Shigellosis Cases in Southwest Kansas
There has been an increase in the number of cases of shigellosis in southwest Kansas since the beginning of October, primarily involving Ford, Haskell, and Finney Counties. Similar outbreaks have been seen in south-central and southeast Kansas within the last month.
Most of the cases 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 Haskell 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 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.
Good hand washing techniques include:
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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