Shigellosis alert issued for St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Residents of St. Louis, Mo., should be on the alert for an outbreak of the highly contagious intestinal bacteria shigellosis, officials say.

It's the second such warning in two months from the St. Louis City Department of Health, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Wednesday.

The newspaper cited statistics indicating Missouri has reported 647 cases of shigellosis so far this year, compared with the yearly average of 604. The malady is usually spread by children and is marked by fever, stomach cramps and diarrhea that can be bloody.

Most shigellosis outbreaks can be traced to day-care centers and schools, and children ages 4 and younger are the most common victims, the Post-Dispatch reported.

The bacteria is usually spread when people don't wash their hands sufficiently after using the bathroom or changing diapers, health officials say.