Over the past two weeks 25 cases of shigellosis were reported to the Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services. Spokesperson Andrea Waner said for the past five years the average annual report of shigellosis was six cases.
Shigellosis, commonly called shigella, is a bacterial infection of the intestines that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramping and fever. Waner said it can take one to seven days for the first sign of symptoms and can last from four to seven days.
“It is usually spread when people do not wash their hands after they use the toilet or they're changing diapers, so stool or soiled fingers can often contaminate food, water, toys [and] other objects,” Waner said.
According to Waner it is most common among toddlers and young children because they are not fully toilet trained. She said to start cleaning objects that may have come in contact with feces with anti-bacterial products, this will reduce the bacteria from spreading.
Columbia Public Schools spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark said they are not worried about the shigella outbreak because school-age children are toilet trained.
“This is really something that is more directed towards daycare centers,” said Baumstark.
There was one reported case of shigella in the Columbia Public Schools several weeks ago. Baumstark said it was the sibling of a child attending a preschool with a confirmed case.
