Virginia

Shigellosis in Virginia

Shigellosis is an acute intestinal infection caused by *Shigella* bacteria. It primarily affects young children, travelers, and individuals in areas with poor sanitation, leading to severe diarrhea. Track Shigellosis activity and outbreaks specific to Virginia.

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What is Shigellosis?

Shigellosis was first identified by Japanese microbiologist Kiyoshi Shiga in 1897, who isolated the bacterium *Shigella dysenteriae*. His discovery was crucial in understanding bacillary dysentery and developing public health interventions. This breakthrough significantly advanced the field of infectious disease microbiology.

Symptoms

  • Bloody or watery diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Stomach cramps
  • Tenesmus (painful urge to pass stool)
  • Nausea and vomiting

Transmission

Shigellosis spreads primarily through the fecal-oral route. This occurs when an infected person's stool, even in microscopic amounts, contaminates food, water, or surfaces, which are then ingested by another person. Direct person-to-person contact, contaminated food, and contaminated water are common transmission pathways.

Contagious Period: Varies by disease

Prevention

  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food.
  • Avoid consuming untreated water or ice from unsafe sources.
  • Ensure food is cooked thoroughly and stored safely.
  • Practice safe disposal of human feces.
  • Avoid swimming in contaminated water.

Virginia Health Resources

Local health department information and state-specific prevention guidance

We're Monitoring Virginia

Our AI-powered surveillance continuously monitors Shigellosis activity across Virginia. We track data from state health departments, local hospitals, CDC reports, and 50+ global health sources to provide early warning of emerging threats.

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Virginia Health Department

For official state health alerts, vaccination locations, and public health guidance specific to Virginia, visit your state health department's website.

Protecting Yourself in Virginia

Whether you live in Virginia, are traveling there, or have family in the state, understanding Shigellosis prevention is essential. Follow these evidence-based prevention measures:

Prevention Measures

  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food.
  • Avoid consuming untreated water or ice from unsafe sources.
  • Ensure food is cooked thoroughly and stored safely.
  • Practice safe disposal of human feces.
  • Avoid swimming in contaminated water.

When to Seek Care

If you experience symptoms of Shigellosis in Virginia, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes significantly.

Emergency symptoms: If you experience severe symptoms, difficulty breathing, or signs of dehydration, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Expert Resources & References

Trusted information from leading health organizations

CDC

Official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

View CDC Resources →

WHO

Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization

View WHO Resources →

Research

Latest peer-reviewed research and clinical studies

View Research →

Medically Reviewed Content

Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-03

Recent Shigellosis Reports

No confirmed cases reported in Virginia yet. Here are the latest Shigellosis reports from our global surveillance network.

Shigellosis causes an estimated 450,000 cases annually in the US, primarily through fecal-oral transmission in settings like daycare centers, food preparation, among travelers or immunocompromised groups, and via person-to-person spread in high-risk populations such as men who ha…

United States · 2026-02-25

This event envelope includes reports on Shigellosis clusters and outbreaks in India. *Source: BEACON* - [View Full Report](https://beaconbio.org/en/event/?eventid=9d0e4de2-4301-4ce7-bdbd-30ca0e522b47)

India · 2026-03-24

Sexually transmitted shigellosis among men who have sex with men in England remains elevated, with 2560 diagnoses in 2025, mainly in London, and surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The outbreak features high antimicrobial resistance, with over half of Shigella sonnei isolates resista…

United Kingdom · 2026-03-31

Gastroenterologist Dr. Joseph Salhab joins 'Fox & Friends' to examine a new study on the effects of pathogenic gut bacteria and tips for limiting exposure to harmful bacteria. A drug-resistant bacterial infection has been on the rise in the U.S. in recent years, according to an …

United States · Alaska · 2026-04-16

This event envelope contains reports on shigellosis in Europe and the US. *Source: BEACON* - [View Full Report](https://beaconbio.org/en/event/?eventid=ad48d8e1-c223-48ec-87e8-7e49ce5844bc)

United States · 2026-05-21

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