Shigella Bacteria Acquires Drug Resistance, CDC Warns Outbreak
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned of an outbreak of diarrhea causing drug resistant bacteria in the US.
Shigella sonnei bacterium has affected 243 people in 32 states, with most cases being reported in Massachusetts, California and Pennsylvania. Though mild infection resolves in a few days without treatment, it can result in hospitalization for people with low immunity, according to US News and World Report. CDC has noted the infection does not respond to ciproflaxin, the first line of antibiotic treatment and is being spread by travelers to the US.
"Travelers need to be aware of the risks of acquiring multidrug-resistant pathogens, carefully wash their hands, and adhere to food and water precautions during international travel," CDC's paper on the outbreak cautions.
The stomach bug causes nearly 500,000 infections every year in the US and is known to be resistant to ampicillin and trimethoprim. Until recently, only in two percent of the cases did cipro fail to work. During the current outbreak however researchers found that the bacterium is resistant in more than 90 percent of the cases.
Shigella spreads easily through food and water. Inadequate hygiene is blamed for its spread and CDC advised increased caution among high risk groups like childcare centers, homeless population and travelers.
"Hygiene promotion and increased access to hygiene and sanitation infrastructure among vulnerable populations such as the homeless might help prevent transmission," CDC said.
