How Do People Catch Shigella?
Pritzker | Ruohonen is one of the few law firms that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation, including Shigella lawsuits. Shigella (shigellosis) is a preventable foodborne illness. When a restaurant does not enforce strict sanitation measures, food handlers can spread Shigella to diners. The following is information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding how Shigella is spread. We include it here as a public service.
How do people catch Shigella?
Shigella bacteria pass from one infected person to the next. Shigella are present in the diarrheal stools of infected persons while they are sick and for a week or two afterwards. Most Shigella infections are the result of the bacterium passing from stools or soiled fingers of one person to the mouth of another person. This happens when basic hygiene and handwashing habits are inadequate. It is particularly likely to occur among toddlers who are not fully toilet-trained. Family members and playmates of such children are at high risk of becoming infected.
Shigella infections may be acquired from eating contaminated food. Contaminated food may look and smell normal. Food may become contaminated by infected food handlers who forget to wash their hands with soap after using the bathroom. Vegetables can become contaminated if they are harvested from a field with sewage in it. Flies can breed in infected feces and then contaminate food. Shigella infections can also be acquired by drinking or swimming in contaminated water. Water may become contaminated if sewage runs into it, or if someone with shigellosis swims in it.
To contact Pritzker | Ruohonen, call toll-free at 1-377-8900 or e-mail fhp@pritzkerlaw.com.