KANNAPOLIS (AP) — Health officials say a shigella outbreak in Cabarrus County is now community-wide after the number of people reporting symptoms has risen rapidly.
A statement from Cabarrus Health Alliance on Wednesday says the agency and the N.C. Division of Public Health say the connection between the outbreak and specific schools and institutions are no longer readily apparent.
Local officials said there are 64 people who have reported symptoms, with 21 people confirmed with shigellosis. The rest don’t have a lab test to confirm whether they have been stricken.
Most people who are infected with Shigella have frequent watery stools that could be bloody, fever and stomach cramps, starting a day or two after exposure to the bacteria. Officials are telling people to stay at home if they’re sick.