On April 3, 2015, the CDC released a statement about the drug resistant Shigellosis spreading in the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Most who are infected with Shigella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps starting a day or two after they are exposed to the bacteria. Shigellosis usually resolves in 5 to 7 days. Some people who are infected may have no symptoms at all, but may still pass the Shigella bacteria to others. The spread of Shigella can be stopped by frequent and careful handwashing with soap and taking other hygiene measures.”
Shigella is one of the types of bacteria that are responsible for intestinal illness in people who travel to undeveloped countries. This illness is also referred to as “travelers diarrhea.”
The bacteria are usually found in drinking water, and contaminated water used on crops.
Shigella infection is often treated with the drug Cipro, and resistance to the drug was only found in about 2 percent of infections analyzed in the U.S., until recently. In the recent investigation by the CDC, which looked into Shigella infections in Massachusetts, California, and Pennsylvania, they found Cipro resistance in 90 percent of the tested samples.
CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden states that the Shigella outbreaks are cause for public health concern: “Drug-resistant infections are harder to treat and because Shigella spreads so easily between people, the potential for more – and larger – outbreaks is a real concern.”
Frieden says that the United States is acting quickly to create a national plant to fight antibiotic resistance. “We can’t take for granted that we’ll always have the drugs we need to fight common infections,” he said.
The CDC recommends the following practices to prevent the spread of Shigella:
• Observe food, water, and hand-washing precautions when traveling
• Use drugs such as Pepto Bismol when treating mild to moderate traveler’s diarrhea
• Only use antimicrobial medications in severe traveler’s diarrhea cases
• Seek healthcare when experiencing diarrhea when getting back to the U.S.
• Maintain strict hygiene when ill
• Keep children at home if they are suffering from diarrhea
• Don’t prepare food for others when experiencing diarrhea
• Avoid swimming pools and public water areas when suffering from diarrhea
Dr. Anna Bowen, medical officer in CDC’s Waterborne Diseases Prevention Branch, and lead author of the report, adds: “Washing your hands with soap and water is important for everyone. Also, international travelers can protect themselves by choosing hot foods and drinking only from sealed containers.”
For the CDC report on the drug resistant Shigellosis spreading in the United States.
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
DON’T FORGET to sign up for our weekly newsletter to get our latest articles, updates, free recipes and giveaways.
Ebola virus: What you really need to know.
What you need to know about antibiotic resistance.
Rivers and antibiotic resistance: Is there a connection?
REFERENCES:
1. “Importation and Domestic Transmission of Shigella Sonnei Resistant to Ciprofloxacin — United States, May 2014–February 2015.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 03 Apr. 2015. Web. 07 Apr. 2015.
2. “Multidrug-resistant Shigellosis Spreading in the United States.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 02 Apr. 2015. Web. 07 Apr. 2015.
3. “CDC: Drug-resistant Intestinal Bug Spreading in US.” Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 7 Apr. 2015. Web. 07 Apr. 2015.
4. “Shigella – Shigellosis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 01 Apr. 2015. Web. 07 Apr. 2015.
