In a follow-up on the outbreak of Shigella infections in Guam, The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reports the outbreak continues to grow.

In 2019, in only four months, Guam has already reached one-half of the total number of cases from all of last year. In 2018, a total of 29 cases of Shigellosis were reported (with 23 cases or 79% confirmed).   So far in 2019, a total of 15 cases have been reported (with 53% confirmed).

Approximately two-thirds (66.6%) of the 2019 cases involved children who have been taken to the emergency rooms for treatment with some being hospitalized.

Five of the 15 cases are children less than five years old; another five cases are among children less than 15 years old and the other five are adults.

The public is asked to be vigilant about hygiene and sanitation, especially for people living in crowded housing situations or housing where there is a lack of indoor plumbing and where contact with faecal matter is possible.