June 21, 2017
Local health authorities are urging Murgon and Cherbourg residents to be extra vigilant with hand washing after an outbreak of dysentery in both towns.
Highly infectious Shigella bacteria are causing diarrhoea, fever and vomiting among residents.
Darling Downs Public Health Unit director Dr Penny Hutchinson said Shigella was transmitted person-to-person or through food.
Extra hand washing was important to stop the outbreak.
“The most important thing people can do is thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet or changing nappies and before handling food,” Dr Hutchinson said.
“Symptoms include diarrhoea – typically containing blood and mucous – accompanied by fever, nausea and vomiting.
“We have alerted the two local hospitals and the GP practices to the outbreak, and provided information posters to community facilities such as schools and child care centres on what control measures should be in place.”
Anyone suffering from “the runs” (diarrhoea) should see their doctor and get tested.
According to the US Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, shigella infections usually resolve in five to seven days.
Some people who are infected may have no symptoms at all, but may still pass the bacteria to others.
The spread of shigella can be stopped by frequent and careful handwashing with soap.
