Provincial health officials are urging the public to help stop the spread of shigella, after recording a dramatic increase in cases of the illness.

 

48 cases of the illness have been reported in Saskatchewan since April 2011, and normally, 10 to 15 cases surface each year.

 

Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province's Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer, says shigella is a very unpleasant illness that is similar to the Norwalk Virus, but has more severe symptoms with fever and diahrreah with blood, however, they don't see many hospitalizations or deaths from shigella in Canada. He adds that shigella is usually linked to overseas travel, but most of the cases seen this year don't have that connection.

 

Dr. Shahab says the best way to prevent spreading the illness is by washing your hands frequently, especially after using the washroom and before preparing food.

 

For more information on shigella, click here or call the Provincial HealthLine at 1-877-800-0002. 

 

Colin Powers talked with Dr. Saqib Shahab about Shigella: