More than 200 patients have diarrhea due to bacteria, specialists report

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Ministry of Health said that from January to September, 231 patients were treated because of diarrhea due to the shigella bacteria.

Shigella is a gram-negative bacteria and one of the leading causes of diarrhea.

Shigella infection is an intestinal disease that can be transmitted through direct contact with bacteria in the feces or transmitted through contaminated food or by drinking or swimming in contaminated water.

According to the ministry, the number of cases treated during this year is less than those treated during the same period last year.

In 2018, from January to September, 272 cases of people infected with the virus were reported, said the ministry.

There are areas where there has been a slight increase in cases, such as Alajuelita* in the province of San José with 20 cases and Liberia in the province of Guanacaste* with 23, said the ministry.

"The symptoms usually begin a day or two after contact with the bacteria, but it can take up to a week to develop," the ministry said in its statement. "It is important to pay special attention if you have frequent diarrhea, bloody or mucus, abdominal pain or cramping and fever."

The specialists make the following recommendations to prevent the spread of shigella:

- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.

- Supervise young children when they wash their hands.

- Dispose of dirty diapers properly.

- Disinfect areas where diapers are changed.

- Do not prepare food for other people if you have diarrhea.

- Keep sick children at home. Do not take them to school.

- Avoid drinking water from ponds, lakes or pools without treatment.

- Avoid sexual activity with someone who has diarrhea or who recently recovered from diarrhea.

The A.M. Costa Rica team asks readers to share this information among their contacts.

----------------------------
What other recommendation would you give to prevent the spread of the bacteria? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com