Shigellosis is an acute, highly contagious bacterial infection of the intestine caused by Shigella.

• Transmission: Faeco-oral route through contaminated food, water, hands, surfaces, or direct person-to-person contact.
• Incubation Period: Usually 1–4 days.
• High-risk Groups: Children below five years, malnourished persons, elderly people, and immunocompromised individuals.
• Disease Type: Food- and water-borne communicable disease.
• Symptoms: Diarrhoea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting, and dehydration
• Diagnosis: Stool culture or molecular testing, along with clinical assessment.
• Vaccine: No widely available routine vaccine is currently used for shigellosis.
• Prevention
  • Safe drinking water and proper sanitation.
  • Handwashing with soap after defecation and before preparing or eating food.
  • Hygienic food handling and thorough cooking.
  • Safe disposal of faeces and proper care of infected children.
  • Rapid identification and reporting of outbreaks.

Source: The Hindu