Health advisory from the Florida Department of Health in Broward
Broward County showing increase in Shigellosis
By Candy Sims
BROWARD COUNTY, FL – Health officials at the Florida Department of Health in Broward County are advising parents, schools and daycare centers to take precautionary action to prevent the spread of Shigellosis. Shigellosis is a highly contagious form of diarrhea caused by Shigella bacteria. Shigella can spread through person to person contact and may cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.
Parents of children, or anyone with symptoms of Shigellosis should contact their healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. Careful attention to handwashing is the single most important measure to decrease transmission of Shigella bacteria.
Symptoms may last from 48 to 72 hours, and frequently include diarrhea (may be watery or bloody), fever, and stomach cramps. School aged children and children in daycare should be excluded from school until symptoms have ceased and laboratory cultures test negative for Shigella.
For more information on Shigellosis, visit http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/shigellosis/.
