Shigella Outbreak From San Jose Seafood Restaurant; 141 Reported Cases After October 16

The number of cases related to Shigella outbreak linked to San Jose seafood restaurant is reported to have increased dramatically. The public health officials said that number of people believed to be affected by Shigella outbreak- San Jose seafood restaurant is 141 by far.

Santa Clara County health officials said that out of 141 reported cases, 118 were from Santa Clara County and 23 cases were from other near-by counties. Shigellosis was confirmed in about 49 cases with laboratory test results, out of which 35 were from Santa Clara County and 14 were from Alameda, Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, according to Las Angeles Times.

Shigella Outbreak- San Jose Seafood Restaurant Started Since October 16

Almost all the patients reportedly had food at Mariscos San Juan Restaurant No. 3 either on October 16 or 17. Since then health officials were receiving reports on people falling ill after dining at the restaurant in the 200 block of North 4th Street. About 12 people admitted in the hospitals were treated in the intensive care units.

Shigellosis is a faeco-oral infection; a person gets infected when he consumes food contaminated with the bacteria Shigella from the infected individual's feces. Sewage contaminated food supplies and houseflies that carry the bacteria from feces are also the possible reasons for infection.

"Signs and symptoms of Shigella infection usually begin a day or two after contact with Shigella, but may take up to a week to develop. Symptoms may include diarrhea (often containing blood or mucus), abdominal pain or cramps and fever. Although some people have no symptoms after they've been infected with shigella, their feces may still be contagious up to a few weeks," reported Mayo Clinic.

Though Shigella infection clears up without much of complications in rare cases they cause problems like dehydration, seizures, rectal prolapse, hemolytic uremic syndrome, toxic megacolon and reactive arthritis.