Rockland Officials: Shigella Has Sickened 66 Since Nov. 1
NEW CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Shigella, a contagious bacterial infection, is now responsible for sickening more than 60 people in Rockland County over a matter of weeks, officials said.
Shigella strikes the intestines, causing dysentery, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and high fever.
Anyone can contract shigella, but it can especially be problematic for children ages 2 to 4.
Ramapo schools and yeshivas have been put on alert, WCBS 880's Sean Adams reported.
According to the Rockland County Health Department, there have been 66 cases since Nov. 1, with clusters in Ramapo.
Earlier, there were cases in the Borough Park and Williamsburg sections of Brooklyn.
Shigella spreads easily via fecal contamination, said Rockland County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert.
"Wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds after using the toilet, changing a diaper or helping a child use the bathroom," she cautioned. "Also, disinfection of all surfaces where diapers are changed."
Ruppert stressed the importance of being tested after showing symptoms.
"For children who are in day care, they should have two negative stool samples taken 24 hours apart before they are allowed to return to school," she said.
