How can Shigellosis be prevented?
Frequent and careful hand washing with soap and water should be done by both the ill individual and anyone who is in contact with that person. Supervised hand washing of all children should be followed in day care centers and as soon as children return home. Children’s handwashing should be supervised in daycare centers, and children should wash hands after returning home. Young children with a Shigella infection, or with diarrhea of any cause, should not be in contact with uninfected children. Everyone who changes an infected child’s diapers should be sure the diapers are disposed of properly in a closed-lid garbage can and should wash their hands carefully with soap and warm water immediately after changing the diapers. After use, the diaper changing area should be wiped down with disinfectant, such as household bleach. Shigella organisms are killed by heat used in cooking. People who have shigellosis or any diarrhea should not prepare food for others until they have been shown to no
