The number of cases of shigella in Rockford has exceeded 300.
The Winnebago County Health Department predicts the number will surge this summer.
Todd Kisner, with the Department’s Center for Health Protection, says the outbreak can’t be pinpointed to one place.
“Typically, when we see an outbreak of shigella, it’s usually confined to a daycare or a school," Kisner said. "But what we’re seeing with our community outbreak is – it’s going across the community."
Kisner says strict hygiene is the best defense against the bacteria.
“The one way we can absolutely get rid of this outbreak and this infection is by washing hands often and correctly with our children," he said.
Kisner says the Red Cross has offered to go into schools for free to demonstrate proper hand washing.
He urges parents of children with symptoms of diarrhea and dehydration to visit the doctor.
