By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

The Statens Serum Institut (SSI) has in collaboration with the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the DTU Food Institute report that a Shigella outbreak in August and September that sickened some 44 people is linked to fresh mint bought at a local greengrocer or bazaar in and around the Copenhagen area.

shigellosis
Image/CDC

Of the 44 cases from August 22 to September 9, 30 of the cases was reported in women and 14 in men. A total of 13 people have been hospitalized. The sick live primarily in the Capital Region.

Because fresh mint has a short shelf life, it is no longer on the market. There is therefore no risk of more consumers becoming infected, says Emergency Manager Nikolas Kühn Hove from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.

Shigellosis is a diarrheal illness caused by bacteria that can spread through the stool of sick people or animals or by consuming contaminated food or water.

In addition to diarrhea, shigellosis can cause fever, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Anyone with some of those symptoms to should contact their health care provider and be tested for shigellosis by stool sample. People who are sick should stay home from work or school until they are diarrhea and fever free for at least 24 hours.

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The best way to avoid spreading the illness is to wash hands frequently, especially before preparing or serving food, before eating, after using the bathroom, after changing a diaper, and after cleaning areas where pets or livestock live. People should also refrigerate leftovers right away, avoid thawing foods on counters or in sinks, and avoid swallowing untreated water such as from ponds and lakes.