The Nassau County Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of Shigellosis. The department knows of at least 50 people with gastrointestinal illness, including diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain, who ate food from two restaurants under the same ownership: Shish-Kebab Snack Bar and Restaurant, 379 South Oyster Bay Road in Plainview and 283 Main Street in Port Washington.

The Health Department is alerting the public that anyone who ate or purchased food at these establishments between May 23 and 30, and who has symptoms of Shigellosis should contact their own physicians or health care provider. The Health Department also recommends that any uncooked food (such as salads) purchased for home use during this time should be discarded. Individuals who become ill should inform their health care provider that they may have a bacterial infection, Shigellosis, and should have a stool culture taken. The disease can be treated with antibiotics, but testing must be done since not all antibiotics are effective against this strain of the bacteria.

Symptoms of Shigellosis include mild to severe diarrhea, often with fever and traces of blood or mucous in the stool. Symptoms may appear one to seven days after exposure, but usually within two to three days.

The Nassau County and New York State Departments of Health strongly advise all individuals who ate food from these establishments over the past week to carefully wash their hands after using the toilet and before food preparation in order to avoid spreading their easily transmitable disease. Some individuals may be infected without having any symptoms. Although these individuals do not need to be tested or treated, they may still be able to transmit the infection. Therefore, thorough handwashing is very important to prevent the spread of Shigellosis. Individuals who are ill and who are food handlers, day care or health workers must not go to work until fully recovered.

The owner of these restaurants is cooperating fully with the Health Department and is taking all steps necessary to protect the public from the spread of this infection, including disposal of all uncooked foods as of May 30. The Health Department will continue to monitor the food establishments on a daily basis.

Individuals who are ill should consult their own health care provider. The Health Department has an information telephone number - 571-2649.