On Tuesday, the City of Lubbock Health Department reported an increase in shigellosis cases. The South Plains saw an outbreak of the infection back in September.
Cases seemed to die down in November, however between January and April 2016, more than 100 cases were reported. This time last year, there were zero cases reported.
Dr. Lawrence Martinelli, a physician with Infectious Disease Medicine at Covenant Health, says it is strange that the cases managed to fluctuate in that window of time.
“Shigella can show some seasonality and in a relatively small population like Lubbock, you won’t see the same patterns as you may see on a national or global basis.”
So why here, and why now?
“It’s a possibility that we had the big outbreak last fall that mostly went away, but there was still a few people in the community who had it. So, depending on their interactions who they’re associated with, who they were in contact with, how good their hygiene is they’ve now infected other people and it’s started to pop up again,” said Dr. Martinelli.
The disease can target anyone of any age, especially in closed settings. This pertains to day cares, college classrooms, work office and even nursing homes.
And as easy as it is to come into contact with it, it’s just as easy to prevent it by simply washing your hands thoroughly.
“Before you cook dinner, wash your hands. After you cook dinner, wash your hands. The main thing to keep in mind with any infection in the health care setting or at home is that the key to prevention is to always wash your hands.”
Below is the news release issued by the City of Lubbock Health Department:
The City of Lubbock Health Department continues to see an increase in shigellosis cases. Between January and April 2016, 110 cases of shigellosis have been reported. During the same time period in 2015 no cases were reported.
The initial outbreak started in September of 2015 and after peaking in November the number of cases continued to decrease however transmission was never interrupted. Over the last few months the number of cases has begun to increase again prompting another alert.
Shigella is the bacterium that causes shigellosis, a diarrheal illness that lasts from 4-7 days. Fever, vomiting and stomach cramps may also be present. Once a person is exposed, symptoms usually develop within 1-3 days.
Shigella is spread person-to-person through the unwashed hands of an infected person. This can happen by direct contact, or by food or drink handled by the infected person. Although shigellosis is easily spread, it can also be easily prevented. The key is GOOD HANDWASHING—before and after eating or handling food, after using the toilet, after infant diaper changes and frequently during the day. Restrooms and diaper changing surfaces should be sanitized with bleach or antibacterial cleaner.
Persons who have symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, nausea, and vomiting) should contact a physician immediately. Treatment with antibiotics will shorten the days of illness and also shorten the length of time an infected person sheds the bacteria and can infect others.
Persons with diarrheal illness, including shigellosis, should not attend work, school or daycare until they are free from fever and diarrhea for 24 hours or until treated and released by their physician. With the approaching summer season it is also important for persons with diarrheal illness not to swim in swimming pools.
You can find further information about shigellosis and other gastrointestinal illnesses at:
www.cdc.gov.
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