One in three Shigella bacteria is transmitted through contact with feces. — Photo: GETTY IMAGES via BBC The Shigella bacteria are transmitted through contact with feces. — Photo: GETTY IMAGES via BBC
Doctors in Israel say some of the country's military personnel involved in the ground offensive in Gaza are suffering from a serious stomach illness called Shigella.
The disease is believed to be spreading due to poor hygiene and nutritional conditions in the war zone.
How did Shigella spread among Israeli troops?
According to Tal Brosh, director of the infectious diseases department at Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, several Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) doctors have diagnosed severe intestinal diseases in troops serving in Gaza.
He says he identified the disease as Shigella.
2 out of 3 Israeli soldiers may become infected with Shigella through food sent to them by friends and relatives. Photo: GETTY IMAGES via BBC Israeli soldiers may become infected with Shigella through food sent to them by friends and relatives. — Photo: GETTY IMAGES via BBC
Infected soldiers are isolated and sent back to Israel for treatment.
Broch says a “clear cause” of the outbreak was food cooked by Israeli civilians and sent to troops in Gaza.
He claims that this food may be contaminated with Shigella and other harmful bacteria, either because it was not refrigerated during transport or because it was not fully warmed before consumption.
“When soldiers get diarrhea, [as] Poor hygienic conditions on the battlefield lead to persontoperson transmission,” he says.
Broch also says soldiers should only be given dry food, such as canned goods, crackers, protein bars and nuts.
What is Shigella and what are the symptoms?
Shigella is a type of bacteria. When it enters the body, it causes dysentery, called shigellosis.
- Fever
- Bloody or persistent diarrhea
- Severe stomach cramps
- Dehydration
People with health problems or weakened immune systems caused by diseases such as HIV may experience these symptoms for a long period of time.
If left untreated, Shigella can cause serious illness and even death.
The risk of death is particularly high if the bacteria enter the bloodstream. Children, people with HIV, diabetes or cancer, and people who are malnourished are at high risk.
How does Shigella spread?
This can have the following causes:
- Food made by someone with Shigella
- Drinking water contaminated with wastewater
- Contact with bathroom items or other items contaminated with Shigella by an infected person
- Diaper change for a child with Shigella
- Contact with feces during sex with an infected person
Shigella is common in homeless people, international travelers, men who have sex with men, and those whose bodies have low immunity.
Where in the world is Shigella most common?
The CDC estimates that there are between 80 and 165 million cases of Shigella worldwide each year, causing 600,000 deaths.
In 2021, WHO stated that 99% of Shigella infections occurred in low and middleincome countries.
Most Shigella deaths occur in subSaharan Africa and South Asia. About 60% occur in children under 5 years of age.
A study by scientists at the International Vaccine Institute in South Korea suggests that shigellosis is hundreds of times more common in Asian countries such as Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Indonesia and Thailand than in highly industrialized countries.
3 of 3 Shigella is particularly common in subSaharan Africa and southern Asia. — Photo: GETTY IMAGES via BBC Shigella is particularly common in subSaharan Africa and South Asia. — Photo: GETTY IMAGES via BBC
How can Shigella be treated or prevented?
The CDC states that Shigella can be prevented by washing your hands frequently, for example:
- Before cooking or eating
- After going to the toilet or changing a diaper
- Before sexual activity
Many cases can be treated by drinking plenty of water and rest.
Five types of antibiotics work against the disease.
However, U.S. health authorities have identified an antibioticresistant strain of Shigella bacteria called Shigella XDR, or Shigella sonnei.
The CDC says that in 2021, 5% of Shigella cases in the United States were linked to the drugresistant strain. The CDC classified the situation as a “serious threat to public health.”
The WHO has also recorded a growing number of cases linked to the XDR strain in the UK and across Europe since 2020.
UN Security Council discusses new resolution for ceasefire in Gaza