Shigella Advisory Issued in Michigan County
Health officials in Muskegon County, Michigan, have issued an illness advisory after lab tests confirmed that several people got sick from the same strain of Shigella bacteria.
The county's press release said the lab tests were done as part of an investigation into an abnormal rise in gastrointestinal illness reports.
People sickened by Shigella can develop diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps and vomitting. The symptoms typically last for 4-7 days, but can linger for up to several weeks. The illness, which is spread by ingesting very small amounts of stool or feces, can be treated with antibiotics. In some cases, it can lead to serious complications including brain injuries and hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause kidney failure.
