Authorities Report Shigellosis Outbreak

Manuel De La Rosa

Story Created: Jun 13, 2008 at 5:41 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jun 13, 2008 at 6:18 PM CDT

(June 13, 200

Health officials have a warning about an outbreak of a highly contagious disease in the Coastal Bend. They report they've seen nearly 70 cases of Shigellosis in San Patricio and Nueces County this year.

Last year there was only one case of Shigellosis in the two counties. So health officials are concerned and warning the public to be on the lookout for the spread of this bacteria.

Health officials report 68 cases of Shigellosis in San Patricio and Nueces County this year. Doctors said it's a highly contagious disease seen mostly in third-world countries. Periodically, they'll see outbreaks of the bacterial infection in locations near the border.

"To the best of my knowledge, the source hasn't been pinpointed, but what we do know it's very very contagious," said Dr. Ed Garcia, who works in emergency rooms at two Corpus Christi hospitals.

The symptoms of Shigellosis are diarrhea, which may contain blood-- fever, nausea, vomiting and cramps.

"The patient then becomes sick after one to four days with diarrhea, mucus in the stool, fever, abdominal cramps," Dr. Garcia said. "It feels terrible. People get pretty sick."

Doctors said Shigellosis is a highly contagious disease and they say the best way to fight it is to wash your hands and to have good personal hygiene.

Health officials said preschool and daycare children are vulnerable for the spread of Shigellosis. They said it's easily spread from one person to another. So daycare workers are on alert.

"The teachers always wash their hands after every diaper change, before meals," said Adriana Garcia, who works at Bundles of Care Daycare Center. "The children wash their hands after diaper changes, after using the restrooms. All those types of procedures are always followed."

If you believe you have the symptoms for shigellosis, you're advised to go see your doctor right away.

Doctors said it's easy to confuse salmonella poisoning with the shigella bacteria. Doctors said the two have similar symptoms. The only way you can tell the difference is by going to your doctor and having extensive lab work done.

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