SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – A highly infectious bacteria is going around Greene County.
“The summer is what we consider diarrheal illness season,” said Kendra Findley with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.
Findley says the number of cases of Shigella has increased in recent weeks. She says the department typically sees a handful but this summer has had more cases than any time over the past 20 years.
“I can’t say necessarily that we’re surprised. I don’t want to see an outbreak of shigella,” she said.
The department closely monitors infectious diseases and works with the local medical community to keep tabs on what’s happening.
“Shigella we don’t see as commonly as we do salmonella or e-Coli. So when we see that increase we start to get concerned,” said Findley.
Shigella is an intestinal infection caused by a family of bacteria that can cause a person to become severely sick. When exposed to non-treated water like lakes and streams or while handling animals, people can get it.
Findley says the symptoms are more severe than the stomach flu. They include stomach cramping, fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
She says that, unlike many other illnesses, the Shigella bacteria doesn’t necessarily respond to typical cleaning agents.
“Hand sanitizer will dry on your hands so you’re not removing any cells that are there. Hopefully whatever that sanitizer is will kill whatever is on your hands. But just to be safe washing with soap and water is the best thing you can do,” explained Findley.
She says the illness is short-lived but some could require medical treatment.
“For people who are otherwise healthy, they will get over this on their own in 5 to 7 days. But if you’re immune-compromised or an infant we really worry about that severe hydration and needing to seek out medical care,” she said.
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