Health officials warning parents about infectious disease spreading in Missouri

Health officials in Kansas City, Missouri, have urged residents to take preventative measures as the area has witnessed a notable spike in cases of an infectious diarrheal disease in the recent past. “We know that the Shigella pattern is that we usually have an outbreak every five years”.

The Kansas City Health Department has investigated more than 143 cases of the disease since the start of the year, officials said. From January 1 to July 1, there were only 16 cases, but in the last two months there have been 134 additional cases.

The health department is not really sure why Shigellosis is on the rise.

Shigella is an unsafe bacteria, closely linked to salmonella, that causes shigellosis and it’s one of the main contributors to diarrhea around the world, but also has a few other uncomfortable symptoms. So far in 2015, more than 150 cases have been reported, mostly among children in day care and elementary schools.

“What is also concerning is that we are seeing three different strains that are resistant to certain antibiotics”, explained Tiffany Wilkinson, Acting Communicable Disease Prevention Division Manager.

“Don’t use a cloth towel because Shigella is unique in some respects in that it only takes 7 to 10 organisms to get you infected”, Snook said.

Shigellosis is transmitted by direct or indirect fecal-oral contact with a person having symptoms. The diapers should be put in a closed-lid garbage can and then your hands should be immediately washed carefully with soap and water, as well as the child’s after changing or disposing of the diapers. It can cause abdominal pain, fever up to 104-105 degrees, cramps, blood in the stool or mucous, vomiting, watery diarrhea, and, in some cases, even seizures.

“Inform the daycares, and inform the school systems that they may have had a child exposed to it. It’s important to communication to all the families of potential exposures”, Dr. Dattel added as he cited ways to prevent further spread of the infectious disease.

These signs usually occur 2 to 4 days following contamination, and although normally they are present for several days, infections may continue for weeks if left untreated. Testing helps doctors determine which antibiotics will be helpful to treat specific strains.

“We’re most concerned about people who are food handlers or who are working in long-term care facilities”, said Chris Steward of the Sedgwick Co.