AN OUTBREAK BY SHIGELLA SONNEI IN VLORA REGION, SEPTEMBER 2014, ALBANIA

In the last days of September 2014 in three villages on the outskirts of the city of Vlora, Albania, was observed an increase in the number of cases of acute gastroenteritis seeking medical care. The epidemiological investigation confirmed a waterborne outbreak caused by Shigella sonnei. A longitudinal prospective study was conducted to identify the source and routes of transmission to implement the measures of control and prevention. Epidemiological data were collected through a standardized individual questionnaire. A case definition was created and stool samples were collected for laboratory examination from patients and their relatives and also tap-water. 127 cases were interviewed. 89% (113/127) were less than 18 years. 64.6% (82/127) belonged to groups 5-14 years. The outbreak occurred as a result of contamination of drinking tap-water due to works for repairing of the defects in the drinking water network that supplies these areas.