What is shigellosis?

Shigellosis is also known as bacillary dysentery. The disease is caused by an infection with a Shigella bacteria. There are various types of Shigella bacteria that can make people ill. The time between exposure and the first symptoms can range from 1 to 7 days. This incubation period usually lasts 1 to 3 days.

What are the symptoms of shigellosis?

Shigellosis can cause fever and stomach cramps, followed by watery diarrhoea. After a few days, the diarrhoea becomes slimy and may also be bloody. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache or skin rash. If you have diarrhoea that contains blood or mucus, contact your GP.

Who can become very ill from shigellosis?

Anyone can get shigellosis.
Some people have a higher risk of getting the disease:

• People travelling to warm countries.
• Family members of a person who has shigellosis (especially children in the same family).
• Men who have sex with men.

Some people have a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from shigellosis:

• People who are being treated with medication that inhibits bowel movements.
• People who have a Shigella infection involving a strain of Shigella dysenteriae.
• Children.
• Older people (over 65).
• People who also have another serious illness.
• People with HIV or various other immune disorders.

How does shigellosis spread?

Shigella bacteria can spread through human-to-human transmission. People who are infected excrete the bacteria in their stool (poop). The bacteria can continue to be present in their poop until about 4 weeks after the onset of symptoms. Sometimes this persists for even longer. Shigella bacteria are very contagious. They spread easily from person to person, or through contact with food, water or contaminated objects or surfaces.

A person who has shigellosis can infect others by touching things. For example, after using the toilet, there may be Shigella bacteria on the toilet seat, flush knob, tap handle or door handle. The next person who touches those surfaces could pick up the bacteria. Hand contact can then transfer the bacteria to the mouth, or onto food, utensils, dishes or toys.

People can also have contact with poop in the context of sex, picking up a Shigella infection through that route. Examples include anal sex or contact with contaminated sex toys.

How can I prevent shigellosis?

There is no vaccine against shigellosis. Good hygiene helps prevent the bacteria from spreading:

• Wash your hands before eating and before preparing food.
• Wash your hands after going to the toilet.
• Flush the toilet with the lid closed.
• Clean the toilet after each use if you have diarrhoea.
• Change the hand towel after each time that someone with diarrhoea uses the toilet. Or have everyone use paper towels to dry their hands.
• Do not have sex with anyone who has diarrhoea.
• Visit the STI information page at Soa Aids Nederland for more sex-related safety tips about shigellosis and other sexually transmitted infections.
• Are you planning to travel to a tropical or subtropical country? Follow these tips:
  • drink clean water;
  • do not eat any uncooked or unpeeled fruit or vegetables;
  • thoroughly heat meat and fish before eating it.

Is there any treatment for shigellosis?

The symptoms of shigellosis usually go away after 5 to 10 days. In most cases, you will need to be patient while you recuperate. Drink lots water to avoid dehydration. Sometimes a doctor will prescribe antibiotics.

How common is shigellosis in the Netherlands?

Shigella bacteria are found worldwide. Children in other regions regularly die of shigellosis, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. In the Netherlands, doctors report about 400 to 600 cases of shigellosis every year.

Men who have sex with men have a higher risk of getting shigellosis. A type of shigella that is insensitive to many different antibiotics has been circulating in the Netherlands since 2022. This type mainly affects men who have sex with men. 62 people had shigellosis involving this bacterial type over a two-year period; 56 of those were men.

Can a person with shigellosis go to childcare, school or work?

If your child has shigellosis, then they may not go to a daycare centre or nursery, or attend class in the first two years of primary school (group 1 and 2). The GP and the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) will tell you when your child is allowed to return. Older children may go to school once the symptoms are over, they feel well, and they know how to use a toilet hygienically.

If your child has shigellosis, tell the childcare provider or teacher. They can consult with the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) to notify other parents. If they know, parents can be alert to the symptoms of shigellosis in their child. Precautionary measures at the childcare centre or school may sometimes be needed.

An adult with shigellosis who feels fine can go to work as usual. This does not apply to all professions. Do you work in one of the following sectors?

• healthcare
• childcare (especially for very young children)
• food preparation, such as in a restaurant or butcher shop

Consult with the GGD, the company doctor or your employer before returning to work.