FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 18, 2026
CONTACT: Lazarus Gehring, BCHD Medical Director
607-778-3917 Lazarus.Gehring@broomecountyny.gov
Shigellosis Transmission and Prevention
(BINGHAMTON, NY) Broome County Health Department (BCHD) has observed an increase in shigellosis cases, a gastrointestinal illness that is caused by the bacteria Shigella. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, stomach pain, and feeling the need to pass stool even when bowels are empty. Symptoms usually start 1-2 days after infection and last about 7 days.
Shigella germs are in stool, so anything that gets contaminated with the stool can potentially spread the germs. Shigella can spread from one person to another or through contaminated water, food surfaces, or objects. Shigella can also be spread during sexual activity with a sick person.
“We have seen an uptick of shigellosis cases in Broome County. Since August 2025, we have reported 22 cases to New York State.” says Dr. Lazarus Gehring, Broome County Health Department’s Medical Director. “Broome County typically sees about 6 cases each year on average”.
Some groups of people are more likely to get sick with shigellosis than others. These groups include young children, international travelers, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, and people who are experiencing homelessness. People who are in poor health or whose immune systems are weakened from diseases (such as HIV) or medical treatments (such as chemotherapy for cancer) are more likely to get sick for a longer period of time.
There are some precautions Broome County residents can take to avoid getting or spreading shigellosis.
- Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water often, especially after using the bathroom
- Take care when changing diapers
- Avoid swallowing water while swimming
- When traveling internationally, follow safe food and water habits and clean your hands often
- If you or your partner has been diagnosed with shigellosis, do not have sex for at least two weeks after the diarrhea ends.
For more information on Shigellosis please visit the following New York State Department of Health website. https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/shigellosis/
