Health & Fitness
Number of Shigella Cases Doubles in One Day
Dozens of people have required hospital care, with 12 admitted to intensive care. All developed shigellosis after eating at the same place.
Written By BEA KARNES (Patch Staff)
The number of cases of shigellosis in Santa Clara County doubled today, according to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.
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Since Saturday, over 80 people have become acutely ill, with most requiring hospital care. Of those, 12 required admission to intensive care.
- Previous Coverage: Restaurant Food Lands 12 People in Intensive Care
Shigellosis is caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The illness could be fatal if not treated. Symptoms typically last 5 to 7 days, but it may take several months before bowel habits return to normal.
Find out what's happening in Campbellfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Santa Clara County Communicable Disease Controller and Deputy Health Officer Dr. George Han reported this morning, “We are asking physicians and other healthcare providers to test and report any suspected cases to the public health department.”
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All of the cases are linked to Mariscos San Juan restaurant #3, at 205 N. 4th St. in San Jose. Victims ate there Friday or Saturday. The restaurant was closed by the health department on Sunday.
Health officials suspect an infected restaurant employee spread the illness.
--Image of Shigella bacteria via CDC
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