The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services has reported a Shigella outbreak. At least 25 people have been sickened in the past two weeks; there are ordinarily six cases a year. Most of the cases are children who are in day care.
Shigella is a bacteria found in human feces. People often get sick when they drink water contaminated with the bacteria. Symptoms of this illness include diarrhea, which may be bloody, abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. Most people get sick about two to three days after exposure.

