Health officials urge hygiene to fight shigella outbreak
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By Deirdre Cox Baker | Tuesday, October 02, 2007 |
The shigella outbreak continues to grow in Rock Island County, and a health official believes now is the time to review smart hand-washing practices.
“A person could have totally great hygiene, but if they do have the misfortune of touching a surface or eating something that is contaminated, they can get this,” Theresa Foes said.
Foes, assistant administrator for the Rock Island County Health Department, said the virus is passed through the digestive tract. People should wash their hands with soap and water every two hours, and especially before they eat anything.
Rock Island County has 55 laboratory-confirmed cases in persons ages 2 months to 70 years, and the actual number of those infected is believed to be much higher.
There are three reported cases in Scott County, said Amy Thoreson, public information officer.
Simply touching a contaminated surface and then transferring that touch to the mouth will pass along the disease.
“Just imagine an infected person pumps gas. The next person to the station picks up the bacteria from the hose handle. Unknowingly, that person walks in the station, buys a treat and pays for the gas. They eat the food and get the shigella,” Foes said.
Scott County officials are not sure why the shigella is more prevalent in Rock Island County, Thoreson said. People may not be exposed on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River, or they are experiencing symptoms and not going to the doctor to be tested.
“Our evidence comes from laboratory test confirmations,” Thoreson said.
Infection from the shigella family of bacteria is called shigellosis. It causes most people to develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. The diarrhea is often bloody, and vomiting may occur. Infected persons are asked to stay home for 24 hours after the last episode of diarrhea.
Rock Island officials have discovered the local bacteria are resistant to standard antibiotic treatments. It takes a week for the disease to run its course.
Shigellosis has been found across Rock Island County, from Port Byron on the east to the rural areas in the west, Foes said. There is no clustering in specific towns or neighborhoods.
Deirdre Cox Baker can be contacted at (563) 383-2492 or dbaker@qctimes.com.
Proper techniques for hand-washing
Good hygiene, especially after using the restroom, is the best way to prevent the spread of shigellosis.
Basic hand sanitizers are no substitute for soap, according to Theresa Foes, assistant administrator of the Rock Island County Health Department. “They are not meant to replace soap, they are just to get you by until you get to soap and water,” she said.
To properly wash the hands:
-- Wet both hands with warm, running water and apply liquid or clean bar soap. Lather well.
-- Rub the hands vigorously together for 15 seconds (the Rock Island County Health Department suggests at least 30 seconds).
-- Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between the fingers and under the fingernails.
-- Rinse well.
-- Dry the hands with a clean or disposable towel.
-- Use the towel to turn off the faucet.
— Source: MayoClinic.com
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