Shigella

What is Shigella?

Shigella is a genus of bacteria that contains several species known to cause diarrheal illness in humans. Two types of Shigella, Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri account for the majority of Shigella infections in the United States. Another type of Shigella is responsible for dysentery which has been responsible for deadly epidemics in the developing world.

What are the illnesses associated with Shigella?

Shigellosis is the illness specifically caused by the Shigella bacterium, but a Shigella infection may also be diagnosed as enterohemorrhagic colitis if bloody diarrhea is present. Several different diarrheal illnesses, including the foodborne illnesses E. coli O157:H7 and other STEC (Shiga producing toxin), share the common symptoms as shigellosis. In situations where no tests are run or the Shigella bacteria are not detected, shigellosis may be diagnosed as acute colitis, gastroenteritis or enteritis.

How is Shigella transmitted?

Shigella is a fecal bacterium and is transmitted in situations where minute amounts of feces are passed from one source to another. It is believed that very small amounts of the Shigella bacteria are needed to cause illness. Shigella can come from several sources:

• Contaminated Foods
• Untreated drinking water that has been compromised with sewage or farm runoff
• Cross contamination from handling infected foods
• Person to person transmission through poor hand washing and hygiene practices

What foods are most at risk for Shigella contamination?

• Raw Milk
• Untreated water
• Vegetables and fruits grown in Shigella contaminated soil

Foods contaminated with Shigella do not have an odor and look normal, without testing there is no way to determine if a food is harboring the foodborne bacteria.

Drinking water can be a source for Shigella contamination if sewage compromises the water, especially if the drinking water is not chlorinated or from a private source.

Unhygienic food handling practices can also spread Shigella. Food handlers who ignore hand washing rules or food safety rules can unwittingly pass along the bacteria.

What can you do to help avoid Shigella?

• Follow simple hand washing and proper hygiene practices
• Do not eat foods prepared by someone infected with Shigella
• Avoid drinking untreated drinking water
• Avoid consuming unpasteurized raw milk or foods made from raw milk such as cheese and ice cream

These safety suggestions can be helpful at controlling the cross contamination threats posed by a contaminated food product, but the only way to assure you are safe from foodborne illness is to never contact a contaminated food product in the first place.

According to the CDC, the responsibility of food safety does not rest in the hands of the consumer. Quoting the CDC’s website,” In the end, it is up to the consumer to demand a safe food supply; up to industry to produce it; up to researchers to develop better ways of doing so; and up to government to see that it happens, to make sure it works and to identify problems still in need of solutions.”

Who is at the greatest risk for Shigella infection?

All people who are exposed to Shigella pathogens are at risk of contracting a Shigella infection, but for some individuals, Shigella exposure can pose a serious danger. Children, the elderly and the immune compromised are all at greater risk of developing shigellosis, and these individuals are also at greater risk of developing debilitating and dangerous complications from a Shigella infection.

What are the symptoms of Shigella poisoning?

Onset of Shigella infection occurs about 1 to 2 days after ingesting the Shigella pathogen. Symptoms of the illness include:

• Diarrhea (which can be bloody)
• Fever
• Abdominal cramping

Individuals may be infected with Shigella and show no signs of illness. For those who become ill, most experience about 5 to 7 days of illness from Shigella poisoning and generally the illness resolves without intervention, but for a few victims, the illness can develop into severe and life threatening complications.

What are the complications that can occur from a Shigella infection?

Shigella infections are typically not serious illnesses and usually resolve without complications or serious long term effects but for some victims, Shigella poisoning is just the beginning of their problems. Some of the complications that can occur from E. coli poisoning include:

• Hospitalization due to severe symptoms
• Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
• Reiter’s syndrome (reactive arthritis)
• Sepsis (septicemia), sometimes referred to as blood poisoning
• Death

Advocating for Food Safety

The foodborne illness lawyers at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault promote food safety through legal advocacy, information outreach and analysis of food poisoning outbreaks. The food poisoning attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have helped people harmed by contaminated foods or beverages, including clients in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and across the country.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious complications from a foodborne illness, please contact Neblett, Beard & Arsenault for a free evaluation of your case. Contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 or use our online contact form.