All the cases in Ford County have occurred among or been associated with children attending kindergartens, daycare centers, or the early elementary grades. No known connection to long-term care facilities, food establishments, or health care facilities has been established. The Ford County Health Department, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and staff from the local schools and daycare centers are working together to prevent further spread of infection. A coordinated, intense public health campaign with more active surveillance is currently underway to emphasize the severity of the disease and promote methods of preventing transmission. Shigellosis is usually spread from infected people whose hands are not adequately washed after using the toilet.
People can transfer the bacteria to other people directly or through contamination of food or water.
Only humans can become infected with shigellosis. Affected individuals often experience bloody diarrhea, fever, nausea, and abdominal cramps. People who have these symptoms and are involved with food preparation, food service, patient care, or the care of young children and the elderly should refrain from such activities until they have been evaluated by a physician and have been determined to be non-infectious to others. Symptomatic children should be excluded from daycare and school until their diarrhea stops. Illness usually lasts four to seven days, but may continue for weeks or months.