Shigella is a bacteria that spreads through the fecal-oral route and causes diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Outbreaks have occurred in restaurants, day-cares, public pools, cruise ships, and more.
Do I Have a Shigella Food Poisoning Lawsuit? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with shigellosis, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
UPDATE: Mariscos San Juan Shigella Outbreak Sickens 188 People
October 28, 2015 — Three lawsuits have been filed and at least 188 people are sick in an outbreak of Shigella that has been traced to Mariscos San Juan. Click here to read more.
October 21, 2015 — Mariscos San Jose, a popular Mexican food restaurant, has been shut down after an outbreak of Shigella sickened at least 80 people and sent 12 to the intensive care unit (ICU). Click here to read more.
What is Shigella?
Shigella is the name of a group of four types of bacteria that thrive in the human intestine. They are easily transmitted by the fecal-oral route; as few as 100 shigella bacteria can cause food poisoning. Once a person is infected, the shigella bacteria exist in stools for several weeks after the symptoms of illness resolve.
Transmission
Shigella is frequently transmitted when people do not wash their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom — especially daycare workers or food service workers. Shigella infections can also occur when people swallow water in contaminated pools or fountains. Sometimes, outbreaks occur when vegetable fields are contaminated with raw sewage. The disease can also be transmitted when flies land in human feces and then land on food.
Signs & Symptoms of Infection
The symptoms of shigella food poisoning usually begin within 1-2 days after consuming contaminated food or water, or coming into contact with the shigella bacteria. It can take up to four days for severe symptoms of shigella poisoning to occur. The illness typically resolves within 5-7 days.
The symptoms of shigellosis typically include:
- Stomach cramps
- Sudden, severe diarrhea, which may be bloody or watery
- Fever
- Nausea, vomiting
- Abdominal pain
Shigella food poisoning is not usually very serious for healthy adults, and it may not even produce any symptoms. However, the infection can be life-threatening for infants or people who have a vulnerable immune system. Serious complications of shigellosis include blood infections, rectal bleeding, severe dehydration, and seizures in small children.
How to Reduce the Risk of Shigella Food Poisoning
Health experts recommend the following precautions to reduce your risk of shigella food poisoning:
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom, handling diapers, or coming into contact with feces
- Supervise small children while they are washing their hands, especially after they use the bathroom
- Make sure you properly dispose of dirty diapers
- If you had diarrhea within the last several weeks, do not prepare food for other people
- If you have a child who has diarrhea or food poisoning, keep the child at home, and do not send him or her to daycare or school
Do I have a Shigella Food Poisoning Lawsuit?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact us for a free Texas food poisoning lawsuit review.
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