Osan City Health Center Launches Bacterial Shigellosis Prevention Campaign

Staff from the Osan City Health Center took to the streets to launch a bacterial shigellosis prevention campaign.

The Health Center of Osan City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kwak Sang-wook) conducted a proper hand washing campaign on December 5th at Osan Station's main hall in response to bacterial shigellosis, which has recently caused cluster outbreaks in Bucheon City and Incheon Metropolitan City.

Bacterial shigellosis is a disease caused by Shigella infection that causes febrile diarrhea, high fever, and abdominal pain, leading to acute inflammatory enteritis. Even a small number of bacteria (10-100) can cause infection, and it spreads primarily through inadequate water supply and food-borne routes.

Treatment involves conservative management with adequate electrolyte and fluid replacement. In cases of severe symptoms or cluster outbreaks, antibiotic treatment should be administered to shorten the infection period and bacterial shedding period.

To prevent bacterial shigellosis, hands must be washed thoroughly with soap after eating or using the toilet. If diarrhea persists more than three times a day, unlike normal conditions, patients should visit a nearby medical facility for medical consultation.

An official from the Osan City Health Center stated, "Bacterial shigellosis is a Group 1 infectious disease with strong transmissibility including secondary infections, but proper hand washing alone has a preventive effect of over 70%," and emphasized, "It is particularly important to wash hands thoroughly with soap after using the toilet or before and after preparing food."