Shigella Bacteria

In News 

• The Kerala health department identified Shigella bacteria as the cause for the food poisoning incident in Kasaragod district of Kerela.

What is Shigella?

• It is a bacterium that belongs to the enterobacter family — a group of bacteria that reside in the intestine, not all of which cause disease in humans.
  • It cause an infection called shigellosis.
• There are four types of Shigella bacteria that affect humans. 
  • These are Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri, Shigella boydii, and Shigella dysenteriae. 
    • The fourth type causes the most severe disease because of the toxin it produces.
• It is a food- and water-borne infection, and can happen when someone consumes contaminated food.
• The disease is easily spread by direct or indirect contact with the excrement of the patient. 
• It mainly affects the intestine and results in diarrhoea, sometimes bloody, stomach pain, and fever.
• Shigella outbreaks appear to be exacerbated during pregnancy and in children under five years of age, and in those with weakened immune systems.
• Currently, there are no vaccines available for shigellosis.
• Precautions: 
  • The measures to prevent a Shigella infection are the same as that of any other food- and water-borne infection. 
  • Wash your hands thoroughly before and after a meal. Wash your hands properly after a bowel movement.
  • Ensure the water that you drink is clean and the fruits and vegetables are fresh.

Source:IE