Shigellosis at Esoteric Festival, Victoria, Australia

An outbreak of a bacterial infection called shigellosis has been detected among people who attended the Esoteric Festival from 8 to 12 Mar [2024] in Donald, Victoria. Anyone who attended the festival and subsequently develops gastrointestinal symptoms should seek medical care as soon as possible. As many as 120 persons may be infected. An epidemiological investigation is continuing.

建议

The Shigella bacteria may cause severe diarrhea that is often bloody and can lead to serious complications for children and adults, such as fever, stomach pain, nausea, and sepsis (infections of the blood stream). The bacterium is usually transmitted by exposure to infected faeces. This can occur via contaminated food, water, or hands or sexual contact. When the bacteria are resistant to antibiotics, treatment may be difficult. There is no vaccine.

The risk of exposure for the average traveller is probably low, provided the traveller exercises caution and follows strict water and food precautions, including safe sexual practices, while travelling. Food and water contaminated with human waste from infected persons is a common source for these bacteria.