Story Published:
May 19, 2009 at 10:16 AM CDT
Story Updated:
May 19, 2009 at 10:26 AM CDT
SPRINGFIELD -- The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is warning people to watch out for a highly infectious bacterium. Nearly a dozen people have come down with shigella in this month alone.
The symptoms for most people include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps within a day or two of being exposed.
The best way to prevent getting the bacteria is to thoroughly wash your hands, often, in warm water for 20 seconds or more. If you can't get to a sink, hand sanitizer is a good alternative.
It's normal to see a few cases of shigella in a given year. In fact, that's what the health department usually sees. In the past month, it’s had 11 confirmed cases.
“It's not something to be overly concerned about but it is something to be aware about, that we need to figure out where the source is, stop the spread from person to person. Also, get people to be aware that, if you wash your hands, increased hygiene should get it under control,” said Kendra Williams,
“It is possible to be contagious to others when you're not showing symptoms, either before you become ill or after you recover from the illness also. For up to six weeks afterwards, you can be infectious if you're not treated with an antibiotic.”
Most people will recover from shigella on their own but some may need an antibiotic. Recovery usually takes five to seven days.
