An outbreak of shigellosis in a Children Welfare Institute caused by a multiple-antibiotic-resistant strain of Shigella flexneri 2a

The multiple-antibiotic-resistant Shigella flexneri 2a was isolated from 10 ill children aged less than 5 years. The source of the outbreak was most likely a new welfare child transferred from an institute in another county and the secondary transmission of the illness was facilitated by the limited activity space and the cohabiting of ill and well residents. The outbreak was controlled after quarantine of ill residents, introduction of new antibiotics and the improvements of hygienic condition. This was the first time that shigellosis outbreak was reported at such settings in Shenzhen and the results of this investigation underscored the need for adequate precautions to prevent secondary transmission of multiple-antibiotic-resistant strain in the welfare setting.