Shigellosis
Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Shigellosis
Reportable to local or state health department
Consult the health department before posting/distributing Parent/Guardian fact sheet.
Cause
Shigella bacteria.
Symptoms
Diarrhea (may be watery), fever, stomach cramps, nausea, or vomiting. Feces may contain blood or mucus. Infected persons may have mild symptoms or may not have any symptoms at all. Illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days.
Spread
Shigella bacteria leave the body through the feces of an infected person. Spread can occur when people do not properly wash their hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. If not removed by good handwashing, the Shigella bacteria may contaminate food or objects (such as toys) and infect another person when the food or object is placed in that person’s mouth. Spread can occur whether or not an infected person feels sick.
Incubation
It takes from 1 to 7 days, usually 2 to 4 days, from the time a person is exposed until symptoms start.
Contagious Period
As long as Shigella bacteria are present in the feces, a person can pass the bacteria on to other people. For some children, the bacteria can be found in the feces up to 4 weeks after illness.
Exclusion
Child Care: Children and staff with diarrhea should be excluded from child care until they are well. The child care should be closed to new admissions during the outbreaks, and no transfer of exposed children to other centers should be allowed. Shigellosis is transmitted easily and can be severe, so all symptomatic persons (employees and children) should be excluded from child care setting in which Shigella infection has been identified, until diarrhea has ceased for 24 hours, and one (1) stool culture is free of Shigella spp. Specimens should not be obtained earlier than 48 hours after discontinuation of antibiotics. Antimicrobial therapy is effective in shortening the duration of diarrhea and eradicating organisms from feces.
School: Until free of diarrhea for at least 24 hours. Further exclusion may be necessary during outbreaks.
No one with Shigella should use swimming beaches, pools, spas, water parks, or hot tubs until 1 week after diarrhea has stopped.
Food service employees infected with Shigella bacteria should be excluded from working in food service. An employee may return to work once they are free of the Shigella infection based on test results showing two (2) consecutive negative stool cultures that are taken at least 24 hours after diarrhea ceases, not earlier than 48 hours after discontinuation of antibiotics, and at least 24 hours apart; or the food employee may be reinstated once they have been asymptomatic for more than 7 calendar days.
Outbreaks:
Screenings should be conducted by the Missouri State Public Health Lab.
Other restrictions may apply; call your local/state health department for guidance.
Diagnosis
Recommend parents/guardians call their healthcare provider if their child has symptoms of shigellosis. There is a lab test to detect Shigella in the feces.
Treatment
If Shigella bacteria are found, antibiotic treatment is available. Children and staff in child care settings should be treated. Shigella bacteria can be resistant to one or more antibiotics, so physicians should test to see which antibiotics are effective. Vomiting and diarrhea may lead to dehydration, which may be a medical emergency. Ask a healthcare provider how to prevent dehydration.
Prevention/Control
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after using the toilet or changing diapers and before preparing or eating food. Staff should closely monitor or assist all children, as appropriate, with handwashing after children have used the bathroom or been diapered.
- Restrict students from sharing any communal food items that are brought from home. In the classroom, children should not serve themselves food items that are not individually wrapped. The teacher should hand out these items after washing his/her hands. (This is not intended to discourage family-style serving in the absence of an outbreak.)
- DO NOT allow children to swallow water when swimming in lakes, swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, or fountains.
- Clean and sanitize diapering area and potty chairs after each use and bathroom toilets and sinks at least daily and when soiled.
- Clean and sanitize mouthed objects and surfaces at least daily and when soiled.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Shigellosis Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Shigellosis
Shigellosis is a bacterial infection of the intestines.
If you think your child has Shigellosis:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
Child Care:
Yes, until the child has been free of diarrhea for at least 24 hours and one stool culture is negative.
School:
Yes, until free of diarrhea for at least 24 hours.
Symptoms
Your child may have diarrhea (may be watery and/or contain blood or mucus), stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, or fever. Illness may last 4 to 7 days.
If your child is infected, it may take 1 to 7 days for symptoms to start.
Spread
- By eating or drinking contaminated food or beverages.
- By touching contaminated hands, surfaces, or objects.
Contagious Period
The illness can spread as long as Shigella bacteria are in the feces. This could be for up to 4 weeks.
Call your Healthcare Provider
- If anyone in your home has symptoms. There is a medical test to detect the bacteria. Antibiotic treatment is available.
- Ask how to prevent dehydration. Your child may become dehydrated due to vomiting and diarrhea.
Prevention
- Wash hands after using the toilet or changing diapers and before preparing food or eating. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Clean and sanitize any objects that come in contact with feces. This includes toilets (potty chairs), sinks, toys, and diaper changing areas. Use a product that kills bacteria.
- No one with shigellosis should use swimming beaches, pools, water parks, spas, or hot tubs until 1 week after the diarrhea has stopped.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.