In an almost ironic turn of events, our apparently love of traveling is also bringing a new drug resistant form of diarrhea causing bacteria back home to the United States. Travelers are bringing a bacteria home, known as Shigella sonnei causes a form of Shigellosis (some of you may know of this as bacillary dysentery), is being brought into the US by travelers where it is spreading to others.
It’s an annoying illness that can take up to a week to shake off and is pretty painful with some not so appealing symptoms. Normally spread internationally, we are now seeing Shigellosis spread on the homefront. In the past few months, nearly 250 cases of drug resistant dysentery have been reported in 32 states.
People typically pick it up from contaminated food or water while abroad. The Centers for Disease Control are worried because Shigella has the apparent ability to spread rapidly, especially among certain groups of people, like children or homeless people where an outbreak in San Francisco has already occurred. The fact that this strain of bacteria is becoming resistant to all forms of drugs and medication signifies the potential of a major outbreak that could spread rapidly if a manner of containment isn’t found. Even Cipro, which is usually prescribed to deal with traveler’s diarrhea is becoming less and less effective against Shigella.
Researchers still do not fully understand why bacteria like Shigella is showing strong signs of antibiotic resistance. One theory posits that those taking antibiotics are not taking full regiments, essentially encouraging resistant forms of bacteria rather than killing them. The issue of antibiotic resistance is of growing concern in the US, where President Obama recently announced a plan to deal with it.
How can travelers protect themselves? While traveling abroad, especially in lesser developed countries, the CDC recommends eating hot food as often as possible and to do everything in your power to drink bottled water from a fully sealed container. Eating fresh fruit and vegetables can also pose a risk in certain areas of the world. Even getting ice cubes in your soda is risky. Finally, wash your hands frequently with soap and water! Taking these simple precautions can save you from a couple of painfully wasted days on your amazing trip abroad.
