Causes of Shigellosis
Cause of Shigellosis: Shigella bacterial infection of the digestive tract.
Cause details for Shigellosis: Later in food processing, other foodborne microbes can be introduced from infected humans who handle the food, or by cross contamination from some other raw agricultural product. For example, Shigella bacteria, hepatitis A virus and Norwalk virus can be introduced by the unwashed hands of food handlers who are themselves infected. In the kitchen, microbes can be transferred from one food to another food by using the same knife, cutting board or other utensil to prepare both without washing the surface or utensil in between. A food that is fully cooked can become recontaminated if it touches other raw foods or drippings from raw foods that contain pathogens. 1
Shigellosis is particularly common and causes recurrent problems in settings where hygiene is poor and can sometimes sweep through entire communities. Shigellosis is more common in summer than winter. Children, especially toddlers aged 2 to 4, are the most likely to get shigellosis. Many cases are related to the spread of illness in child-care settings, and many more are the result of the spread of the illness in families with small children.
In the developing world, shigellosis is far more common and is present in most communities most of the time. 2
Related information for causes of Shigellosis:
Further relevant information on causes of Shigellosis may be found
in the risk factors for Shigellosis
and underlying causes of Shigellosis.
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Foodborne Infections General: DBMD
2. excerpt from Shigellosis (General): DBMD
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