Shigella enteritis is caused by the shigella bacteria. People infected with Shigella release the bacteria in their stool. The bacteria can spread from an infected person to contaminate water or food, or directly to another person. Getting just a little bit of the Shigella bacteria into your mouth is enough to cause disease. Outbreaks of shigella enteritis are associated with poor sanitation, contaminated food and water, and crowded living conditions.
Shigella enteritis is common among travelers in developing countries and workers or residents of refugee camps. The time between exposure to the bacteria and symptoms is 1 to 7 days, with an average of 3 days.
