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- 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.
- These are Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri, Shigella boydii, and Shigella dysenteriae.
- 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
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