An infectious disease has broken out in Surrey with 18 confirmed cases of Shigellosis among children and pre-school age children.
Shigellosis, caused by a specific group of bacteria called shigella, is most commonly found in schools and symptoms include diarrhoea.
Sufferers may also experience stomach cramping, fever and nausea with symptoms lasting up to a week.
An infectious disease has broken out in Surrey with 18 confirmed cases of Shigellosis among children and pre-school age children
Shigellosis, caused by a specific group of bacteria called shigella, is most commonly found in schools and symptoms include diarrhoea
A letter was sent to parents of children at a school in the Guildford and Woking area warning them of the outbreak, according to the Mirror.
The letter states: ‘We are aware of a number of families where older children and adults have also been affected’.
Shingellosis, also known as bacillary dysentery, is rarely serious but the nasty symptoms can leave sufferers sidelined for a week.
There is no cure but doctors have given advice on how to manage the effects while your immune system fights back.
The key is to make sure you do not become dehydrated and medics say it is important to drink plenty of fluids.
But it is also recommended to steer clear of anti-diarrhoea medications as they can inflame symptoms.
Instead, over the counter painkillers can relieve the pain and reduce a high temperature.
There are ways to try and avoid spreading the disease.
Experts say you should wash your hands with soap and hot water after using the toilet and regularly throughout the day.
‘It was really scary, he was face down on the floor’: Toddler left unconscious for 40 minutes when dysentery outbreak swept the country
James Logan was hospitalised with dysentery
A mother told of the horrifying moment she feared for her son’s life when he was struck down with a dysentery virus that plagued the country earlier this year.
More than 100 people across Britain contracted bacillary dysentery, or shigellosis, which is brought on by poor hygiene and causes chronic diarrhoea, nausea, fever and stomach cramps.
One of its victims was sixteen-month-old James Logan from Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, who was unconscious for 40 minutes after suffering a fit.
The youngster’s terrified mother Charlotte Cullum, 24, called paramedics who rushed him to hospital where he recovered for three days.
His 17-month-old cousin Ruby also caught the bug when playing at James’ house.
Speaking in February, Miss Cullum told MailOnline: ‘On Sunday night James went to bed as normal but then he woke up in the middle of the night and was violently sick all over the bed and then the diarrhoea started aswell.
‘On Monday he suffered an upset tummy and the same on Tuesday.
The youngster’s terrified mother Charlotte Cullum (pictured), 24, called paramedics who rushed him to hospital
‘After lunch he was playing with his toys in the living room and he had a fit.
‘It was really scary – I saw him lying face down on the floor and making a strange noise as his tongue vibrated in the back of his throat.
‘He was shaking on the floor and his face was floppy so I pulled him up and called 999. The paramedics came and ran tests but he remained unconscious for about 40 minutes even though his heart rate was fine.
‘They took him to hospital where he slept for an hour. His temperature was normal and he didn’t have and fever symptoms so I was able to take him home.
‘The on Wednesday he had another fit at 10.30am and he was rushed back to hospital where he stayed for 36 hours suffering dehydration.
‘Thankfully he’s now getting better at home but my sister’s daughter Ruby is still in hospital.’
James’ 17-month-old cousin Ruby also caught the bug when playing at James’ house
Ms Cullum said she didn’t know how James got the bug because her house is very clean and she makes sure his hygiene is good.
She said: ‘Perhaps it’s from something he touched in the playground because we always go to the same one.’
Almost 90 people in Stoke-on-Trent alone were struck down, prompting health chiefs to hold an emergency meeting.
There were also reports of the condition as far apart as Preston, Lancashire and Cornwall.