Shigellosis: warning over bug similar to norovirus causing diarrhoea

Health bosses have issued a warning after students at three schools in Stoke-On-Trent were struck by by the bug. So far, there have been five confirmed cases of the condition. However dozens

more are displaying symptoms of diarrhoea - which Public Health England said are not confirmed cases of the bug. Shigellosis infection is a highly contagious diarrhoea caused by Shigella

bacteria. The bacteria, which causes dysentery, can be passed in faeces or spread from an infected person to contaminate food or water, or directly to another person. It is most likely to

spread if people don’t wash their hands after going to the toilet. Health officials have said schools in the affected areas are embracing ‘enhanced cleaning’ of communal areas. Letters have

also been sent to parents of children at the school to let them know ‘supervised hand washing’ has also been brought in to stem the spread of the disease. NHS Choices said: ”Shigella

bacteria can contaminate any food that has been washed in contaminated water. “Symptoms typically develop within seven days of eating contaminated food and last for up to a week. “An

infection caused by Shigella bacteria is known as bacillary dysentery or shigellosis.” Like the norovirus, the infection can be spread from person to person. Dr David Kirrage, consultant

with PHE West Midlands Health Protection Team, is now advising parents to ensure their children wash their hands properly. He said: "Shigella flexneri is highly-infectious and easily

spread in communities such as schools. “The schools have taken measures to reduce the risk of this infection being passed on including enhanced cleaning of communal areas and touch points,

supervised hand washing, and ensuring children with symptoms do not return to school until they are free from the infection. "Shigella can be very unpleasant but is rarely serious;

however it is important that if a child develops Shigellosis symptoms, the family GP is contacted. “People who have had diarrhoea should stay away from work or school until they have been

free of symptoms for 48 hours and certainly if Shigella is suspected, should not return to school or work until stool samples have been tested and results show samples are free from the

infection." Dr Lesley Mountford, the council's director of public health and adult social care, said: "We have worked closely with the schools and Public Health England to

make sure this situation has been dealt with responsibly, reducing the risk of infection spreading any further. "Effective hand washing is very important in minimising the risk of

spreading harmful bacteria which can result in in diarrhoea and vomiting bugs such as shigella." Shigella can also be spread through sex, health officials have warned.