Surveillance and control of Shigella sonnei infection

Shigella sonnei infection continues to present a challenge to those responsible for the control of communicable disease. It is readily passed from one person to another by faecal-oral spread, particularly in children. Traditionally, control measures have emphasised hygienic precautions and exclusion of infected individuals from schools and nurseries. The extent to which these measures have been effective appears to be limited. This review of the literature and recent epidemiological data was conducted to identify interventions which contribute to the control of the infection without unjustifiably restricting the freedom of individuals.