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The Genesee County Health Department is advising residents to wash their hands as a deterrent to the increase in Shigella cases in the area.

(MLive.com File Photo)

GENESEE COUNTY, MI - Cases of a bacteria that causes gastrointestinal illness have reached over triple the normal amount for the Genesee County Health Department's calendar year.

Dating back to October 2015, the health department has confirmed more than 70 cases of Shigella, a highly contagious bacteria spread person-to-person after it leaves the infected person via their stool and spreads by contaminated hands, food, surfaces or water.

Suzanna Cupal, public health division director for the Genesee County Health Department, said there are typically 20 cases of Shigella each year.

"The fact that we have investigated that many cases is concerning to us," she said, noting increases have also been seen in Saginaw County and across the state of Michigan.

Cupal said there have seen some cases where the bacteria is spread from one person in a family to another including infants, but the health department not pinpointed one specific source for the increase.

Due to the water crisis in Flint, Cupal noted there had changed their habits in terms of hygiene, with some residents having spoken out on taking quick showers or traveling to areas outside of the city to bathe.

A majority of the cases in Genesee County occurred in June, July, and August, but Cupal said with school beginning and flu and norovirus season beginning, the health department felt the need to put out a new advisory on Sept. 12.

It was the third such advisory concerning Shigella by the health department since May 2016, all of which have offered advice on how to lessen the spread of the bacteria.

Cupal stressed the importance of washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water -- including underneath fingernails -- or using hand wipes.

The motion of washing hands and rubbing them together helps to remove the bacteria, but it does not kill it.

"If someone is really ill, it is important to wash properly," she said.

Anyone displaying symptoms, including bloody or mucus-filled stool, fever, nausea, vomiting, or cramps should remain home until their symptoms pass, typically around 48 hours.

For additional information on Shigella visit gchd.us or contact the Genesee County Health Department at 810-257-1017.