Outbreak of Shigellosis Occurs at Texas Elementary School

Last month, a school district in San Antonio sent home a letter to parents informing them of multiple cases of a bacterial infection at one of the district’s elementary schools.  Parents were encouraged to keep sick children at home and the school reportedly took extra precautions to clean and sanitize classrooms and the school building.
 
The infectious disease that spread in the school is known as shigellosis.  It is caused by a group of bacteria known as Shigella. Most people who are infected with Shigella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps starting a day or two after they have been exposed.  The bacteria can pass from one infected person to the next and is present in the stools of infected persons while they are sick and for up to a week or two afterwards. Most Shigella infections are the result of the organism passing from stools or soiled fingers of one person to the mouth of another person. It is particularly likely to occur among toddlers who are not fully toilet-trained. Family members and playmates of such children are at high risk of becoming infected.  Basic hygiene, hand washing and surface disinfection are crucial in preventing the spread of the bacteria. 
 
Each year in the United States, there are approximately 14,000 cases of shigellosis reported, but because many milder cases are not diagnosed or reported, the actual number of infections may be many times greater. 
 
“Shigella and others types of bacteria, such as E. coli, are also a concern when sewage has contaminated an indoor environment due to a flood or sanitary sewer overflow,” said Hollis L. Horner, President of Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.  “These and other types of microbial pathogens can be detected by conducting surface testing.  Surface testing can also be used to determine if disinfection procedures are working and to locate the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred.  At Indoor Environmental Consultants, we offer a wide range of microbial pathogen testing services for surfaces and from air samples to help ensure that building occupants are not being exposed to harmful microorganisms across Texas and the Gulf Coast.”  
 
To learn more about IEC’s services, please visit www.iecinc.net, email ncancino@iecinc.net or call (877) 432-8378.
 
About Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.
IEC began operations in 2001 with some of the nation’s most seasoned professional indoor air quality consultants who already had over 70 years of combined experience.  The indoor environmental quality firm specializes in field investigations and assessments of commercial, institutional and residential buildings.  Their services, related to fungal (mold), chemical, bacterial, asbestos and particulate pollutants, are offered throughout Texas, the Gulf Coast and the Southwest. IEC is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a mold assessment company (ACO0114) and an asbestos consultant agency (100329).

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