St. Lucie County Health Department (SLCHD) has identified a recent increase in reported cases of shigellosis. Shigellosis is an infection caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella that can cause fever, watery and/or bloody diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

Shigella usually causes a mild, self-resolving illness (meaning the body will fight off the infection without treatment), and most people recover completely within 4 to 7 days. After someone is infected, symptoms may develop within 1 to 3 days.  There are the lucky few who are infected but do not develop any symptoms but can still spread their infection to others.  More . . .

Shigella News Release 4-6-2012 (33kb pdf)

For Hand Washing information, please visit the following links:

Stomach Bug Book: What School Employees Need to Know (1mb pdf)

Wash Your Hands Fact Sheet (150kb pdf)

Hand Washing Poster (345kb pdf)