Shigella Bacteria Outbreak

News: An outbreak of shigella bacteria is believed to be the reason behind the recent incident of suspected food  poisoning in Kasaragod district, Kerala.

About: 
• Shigella is a genus of bacteria that causes an infection called shigellosis. It is the second leading cause of  diarrhea (after Rotavirus) worldwide and the third leading cause of death in children less than 5 years old.
• Symptoms include diarrhoea, fever, stomach cramps which can last for seven days.
• Shigella is generally transmitted through contaminated food or water, or through person-to-person  contact. Shigellosis is primarily a disease of poor and crowded communities that do not have adequate  sanitation or safe water.
• Currently there are no vaccines available for shigellosis. 
• The incubation period of Shigellosis is typically 1-4 days.

How can we prevent it?
• The most important thing is to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance. 
• Antibiotics are recommended for reducing illness duration and for preventing transmission. 
• Handwashing is said to reduce shigella transmission by 70%.