County of Los Angeles
Department of Public Health
Acute Communicable Disease Control
313 N. Figueroa Street, Room 212
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 240-7941
Fax: (213) 482-4856
E-Mail:acdc2@ph.lacounty.gov
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Acute Communicable Disease Control
Shigellosis
Shigellosis is caused by a Gram-negative bacillus with four main serogroups: Shigella dysenteriae
(group A), S. flexneri (group B), S. boydii (group C) and S. sonnei (group D). Incubation period is
1-3 days. Transmission occurs when individuals fail to thoroughly wash their hands after defecation
and spread infective particles to others, either directly by physical contact, including sexual behaviors,
or indirectly by contaminating food. Infection may occur with ingestion of as few as 10 organisms.
Common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, and tenesmus. Stool may contain blood or mucous.
In general, the elderly, the immunocompromised, and the malnourished are more susceptible to severe disease
outcomes.
Shigellosis is caused by a Gram-negative bacillus with four main serogroups: Shigella dysenteriae
(group A), S. flexneri (group B), S. boydii (group C) and S. sonnei (group D). Incubation period is
1-3 days. Transmission occurs when individuals fail to thoroughly wash their hands after defecation
and spread infective particles to others, either directly by physical contact, including sexual behaviors,
or indirectly by contaminating food. Infection may occur with ingestion of as few as 10 organisms.
Common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, and tenesmus. Stool may contain blood or mucous.
In general, the elderly, the immunocompromised, and the malnourished are more susceptible to severe disease
outcomes.
