Shigella is a highly-infectious bacteria that spreads through the fecal-oral route. Infection outbreaks have occurred at unsanitary restaurants, pools, day-cares, and more. Healthy adults normally recover within a week, but the illness can spread to the bloodstream and cause severe, life-threatening complications.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Shigella food poisoning injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with shigellosis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: Mariscos San Juan Shigella Outbreak Sickens 188 People
October 28, 2015 — Three lawsuits have been filed and at least 188 people are sick in an outbreak of Shigella that has been traced to Mariscos San Juan. Click here to read more.
October 21, 2015 — Mariscos San Juan, a popular Mexican food restaurant, has been shut down after an outbreak of Shigella sickened at least 80 people and sent 12 to the intensive care unit (ICU). Click here to read more.
What is Shigella?
Shigella is a group of bacteria that can cause food poisoning in humans, also known as shigellosis. The bacteria thrives in the human intestine, and it is present in the stools of infected individuals for several weeks after their illness. It is frequently transmitted when people fail to wash their hands after going to the bathroom, especially in the food service industry. Less than 100 shigella bacteria can cause food poisoning.
Transmission
The shigella bacteria is typically transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Transmission of the virus may occur when food comes in contact with animal or human waste. Shigella can be transmitted by handling toddlers’ diapers, or when flies land in feces and then land on food, or when eating food washed in unclean water, or by swallowing pool water contaminated with feces. Shigella outbreaks have occurred on cruise ships, daycare centers, restaurants, public fountains, and more.
Symptoms of Infection
Symptoms of shigellosis typically begin 24-48 hours after the person consumes food or water contaminated with the shigella bacteria. However, in some cases, it may take up to four days for the infection to occur. It can take up to a week to recover from the illness.
Symptoms of shigella food poisoning include:
- Stomach cramps
- Sudden, severe diarrhea, which may be bloody or watery
- Fever
- Nausea, vomiting
- Abdominal pain
In healthy adults, shigellosis is rarely life-threatening. Infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems have the highest risk of severe complications. These complications may include severe dehydration, seizures in young children, gastrointestinal bleeding, and a bacterial infection of the bloodstream.
How to Reduce the Risk of Shigella Food Poisoning
You can reduce your risk of shigella food poisoning by taking the following precautions:
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly
- Make sure small children wash their hands thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom
- Dispose of soiled diapers properly
- If you have had diarrhea within the last few weeks, do not prepare food for others
- If your child has diarrhea, keep him or her at home, away from other children at daycare or school
Do I have a Food Poisoning Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Shigella food poisoning injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with shigellosis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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