Jun 25, 2008 7:16 pm US/Eastern
Shigellosis Outbreak Plagues Rockland County
Schools, Synagogues, Summer Camps Warned About Bacterial Bug
MONSEY, N.Y. (CBS) ―
Health officials in Rockland County are reaching out to schools, synagogues, and summer camps trying to stop an outbreak of shigellosis after dozens have taken ill in the villages of Monsey and New Square.
An outbreak the nasty bacterial stomach bug has caused 130 cases so far this year, versus fewer than a dozen cases in all of 2007.
Health officials say the bacterial outbreak is centered in the two orthodox Jewish communities, and that those becoming ill are young children who attend private schools, and some of their parents.
"They have to be very careful that the kids in school shouldn't spread it around one to the other," one resident told CBS 2.
The culprit is a bacterium called "shigella," found in human feces and spread by poor hygiene.
The bug causes shigellosis, and symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, which all add to the risk of dehydration.
Health experts say hand washing after using the bathroom is key to breaking the cycle of infection.
"We're careful, trying to use wipes like Clorox, baby wipes to disinfect and keep it clean when using facilities and changing diapers and everything," said one father of nine, who is paying extra attention to his younger children's hygiene.
It's not unusual to see outbreaks in communities with so-called "rich social networking," where residents interact closely in home, school, and social environments.
Rockland County Health Commissioner Dr. Joan Facelle doesn't think the outbreak will jump to the larger population.
"We have not yet seen this to be a broad county phenomenon. Like many outbreaks it tends to stay in the communities that interact," she said.
Shigellosis can also spread in swimming pools used by young children who are not fully potty trained. Rockland County is warning summer camps to be especially aware of hygiene issues this season.
For more information on shigellosis,
click here.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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