Victoria’s chief well being officer has issued an alert a couple of “highly contagious” an infection attributable to an antibiotic resistant micro organism spreading within the state.
Professor Brett Sutton mentioned the circumstances of shigellosis, which is a extremely contagious kind of gastro, are primarily amongst males who’ve had intercourse with different males. Cases have additionally been detected in returned travellers.
“There are an increasing number of shigellosis cases in Victoria infected with strains of Shigella bacteria that are resistant to key recommended antibiotics,” Prof Sutton’s alert mentioned on Tuesday.
“Antibiotic resistant infections are a serious public health problem because infections are harder to treat.”
Contact tracing is underway by well being officers.
People with shigellosis could expertise sudden diarrhoea (which can be watery or comprise traces of pus, mucous or blood), fever, nausea, vomiting and belly cramps. The an infection will be recognized with a stool pattern.
Prof Sutton’s alert mentioned shigellosis was typically “a self-limiting infection” however is “highly contagious” and will be severe.
It is especially transmitted when an contaminated individual’s faeces is ingested by one other individual, together with throughout intercourse.
Symptoms often develop inside one to a few days, however will be as early as 12 hours after publicity or as late as one week.
People can stay infectious for as much as 4 weeks after signs finish.
Victorians are urged to observe safer intercourse with barrier safety and wash palms “often and thoroughly”, particularly after utilizing the bathroom, earlier than touching meals, and whereas dealing with used condoms or intercourse toys.
Those with gastro signs are suggested to keep away from having intercourse and getting ready meals or drink for others till 48 hours after their signs finish.
Originally printed as Health chief points alert as ‘highly contagious’ an infection spreads in Victoria
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
