Healthy – Israel Defence Forces (IDF) deployed in the Gaza Strip were suffering from a severe intestinal illness which, according to Dr Tal Brosh, director of the Infectious Diseases Unit at Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, identified the disease as shigella.
As cited by Bard Google, Shigella bacteria are a genus of gram-negative, immotile, rod-shaped endospore bacteria that are closely related to Escherichia coli and Salmonella.
Four species of Shigella are known to cause disease in humans:
• Shigella dysenteriae
• Shigella flexneri
• Shigella sonnei
• Shigella boydii
Shigella bacteria are transmitted by direct contact with the faeces of an infected person or through food or water contaminated with faeces.
Shigella infections can cause symptoms that include:
• bloody diarrhoea
• Fever
• stomach cramps
• Nausea
•Vomiting
Symptoms usually appear 1 to 4 days after infection. In severe cases, Shigella infection can lead to dehydration, septic shock and death.
Treatment of Shigella infections usually involves antibiotics. Antibiotics can help reduce the duration of symptoms and prevent complications.
There are several ways to prevent Shigella infections, including:
• Wash hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet, changing nappies or before eating.
• Cook food until done.
• Wash fruits and vegetables with boiled water.
• Drink bottled water.
Shigella infections occur most often in countries with poor sanitation. However, Shigella infection can occur in any country.***
