New outbreak in Flint: What is shigellosis?

Shigella bacteria (c) foxnews

Flint City, Michigan, cases of bacterial illness called shigellosis has been recorded wherein crisis of water is now being partly blamed.

This year, there have been a total of 85 cases of the illness recorded in Genesee County including Flint, also the highest number of recorded cases throughout Michigan.

The Genesee County Health Department previously said that cases of the bacterial illness rise in both county and the state. A total of 454 cases has already been recorded in the state this year and 515 cases in 2015.

Experts says that shigellosis is a very contagious gastrointestinal disease caused by the bacteria Shigella. In the United States, a total of 500,000 cases of the illness are recorded according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CDC said, primary symptoms observed may include diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain, which usually last for a week, although the disease can take several months for people's bowel habits to return to normal after infection.

Shigella bacteria are commonly spread through contact with fecal matter. Anyone can become infected through contact with shigella contaminated surfaces and food. Careful hand washing with soap and water is highly advised.