Richmond issues shigellosis update

-- The Richmond City Health District says the shigellosis outbreak is continuing to impact the city and the region, but the infection rate seems to be decreasing.

Sixty-one cases affecting city residents have been reported, including 16 new cases since Dec. 18. Those affected include four new day-care centers in the city and two new schools.

Although the city is seeing new cases, it appears the infection rate is decreasing after two months of tracking the outbreak, said Dr. Donald Stern, the health district's director.

Stern asked the public to continue prevention practices to control the spread of shigellosis, a bacterial infection affecting the intestinal tract. Symptoms may include fever, vomiting and diarrhea with traces of blood or mucus in the stool.

Prevention practices include proper washing of hands before handling food and after using the bathroom. Parents, schools and day-care centers should exclude children who are sick, especially those with diarrhea, from attending school.

Frequent sanitizing of surfaces at schools and child-care settings is also important, and symptomatic children should be seen by a doctor.