In the United States, authorities are concerned about the spread of an antibiotic-resistant strain of shigella.
Shigella is not an unknown bacillus….CONTINUE READING
The effects of the disease it causes are known, treatments exist, and we are able to measure its mortality approximately. In short, it is not a new pathogen. But in the United States, an ‘extensively drug-resistant’ strain is of concern
to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This strain that is progressing and that worries the CDC is XDR. The Center says:
According to the CDC, healthcare providers lack options for treating patients infected with this strain, especially since ‘XDR shigellosis is resistant to all generally recommended antibiotics in the United States’. In addition, ‘XDRShigellastrains can spread antimicrobial resistance genes to other enteric bacteria’. This has spurred the CDC to issue a ‘serious public health alert’.
Shigella infections, known as shigellosis, usually cause diarrhea that can be prolonged and bloody, as well as fever and abdominal cramps. https://t.co/et4rPdQMu1
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 26, 2023
For information, shigellosis is a diarrhoeal disease that can be found in all regions of the world. According to the Pasteur Institute:
CDPHE is monitoring Shigella cases in Colorado, a bacteria that can spread by contact with the stool of a person with Shigella. Good hand hygiene is key to preventing the spread of Shigella – regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. pic.twitter.com/hiYBdHYkqd
— Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (@CDPHE) February 24, 2023
It is transmitted notably by fecal-oral route: a person can be infected by changing a child’s diaper, for example. It is estimated that about 200,000 people die from shigellosis each year, but those affected can usually recover without the help of treatment….CONTINUE READING