|
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is seeing an increase in cases of Shigella infection in Hinds and Rankin County. There have been 129 cases in Hinds County and 156 cases in Rankin County to date this year, compared with seven in Hinds and 11 in Rankin as of October 10 of last year.
Shigellosis is an infectious bacterial disease that causes diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. In some people, especially young children and the elderly, the diarrhea can be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.
The spread of shigellosis can be prevented by frequent and careful handwashing with soap and warm water. Handwashing is important for all age groups, since adults can spread the disease to children.
"Hand washing is our frontline defense against shigellosis," said Dr. Mary Currier, Interim State Epidemiologist for MSDH. "Parents and children should wash their hands vigorously for 20 seconds with warm water and soap in order to prevent infection."
Hands should be washed with soap and rinsed with clean warm water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, before and after cooking a meal and before eating. Adults should supervise the handwashing of children to make sure that it is done effectively.
Receive health and preparedness news from MSDH by e-mail: subscribe to Health Updates
Press Contact: Liz Sharlot , Elizabeth Grey or Carol Jarvis Jones, (601) 576-7667
|
