Health chief issues alert as ‘highly contagious’ infection spreads in Victoria
A “highly contagious” infection is spreading in Victoria, with an official alert issued by the state’s health boss and contact tracing underway.
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Victoria’s chief health officer has issued an alert about a “highly contagious” infection caused by an antibiotic resistant bacteria spreading in the state.
Professor Brett Sutton said the cases of shigellosis, which is a highly contagious type of gastro, are mainly among men who have had sex with other men. Cases have also been detected in returned travellers.
“There are an increasing number of shigellosis cases in Victoria infected with strains of Shigella bacteria that are resistant to key recommended antibiotics,” Prof Sutton’s alert said on Tuesday.
“Antibiotic resistant infections are a serious public health problem because infections are harder to treat.”
Contact tracing is underway by health officials.
People with shigellosis may experience sudden diarrhoea (which may be watery or contain traces of pus, mucous or blood), fever, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. The infection can be diagnosed with a stool sample.
Prof Sutton’s alert said shigellosis was generally “a self-limiting infection” but is “highly contagious” and can be serious.
It is mainly transmitted when an infected person’s faeces is ingested by another person, including during sex.
Symptoms usually develop within one to three days, but can be as early as 12 hours after exposure or as late as one week.
People can remain infectious for up to four weeks after symptoms end.
Victorians are urged to practice safer sex with barrier protection and wash hands “often and thoroughly”, especially after using the toilet, before touching food, and while handling used condoms or sex toys.
Those with gastro symptoms are advised to avoid having sex and preparing food or drink for others until 48 hours after their symptoms end.
Originally published as Health chief issues alert as ‘highly contagious’ infection spreads in Victoria
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