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Identifying and Mitigating Exposure Risks to Shigella and Other Pathogens

Bacteria Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	7/16/2025
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Identifying and Mitigating Exposure Risks to Shigella and Other Pathogens
Introduction	EMSL Analytical provides infection control, environmental, and food testing services to detect Shigella and a wide range of other contaminants to protect patients, building occupants, consumers, and the public.
Cinnaminson, New Jersey, July 16, 2025 Shigella bacteria cause an infection known as shigellosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports there are an estimated 450,000 of these infections in the United States each year, and some of these infections involve drug-resistant Shigella. The four species of Shigella listed by the agency include: Shigella sonnei (the most common species in the United States) Shigella flexneri Shigella boydii Shigella dysenteriae The CDC warns that Shigella spreads easily, and it can spread from one person to another or through contaminated water, food, surfaces, or objects. Shigella germs are found in feces, so anything that gets contaminated by feces can potentially spread the germs. Past outbreaks have taken place in healthcare centers, nursing homes, restaurants, water parks, schools, and daycare centers. “Children are one of the groups the CDC lists as being at greater risk of getting shigellosis,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The agency cautions that many outbreaks occur in early care and educational settings and schools. They also issued a health advisory a couple of years ago to warn of an increase in extensively drug-resistant shigellosis in the United States.” To stop its spread, it’s crucial that people thoroughly wash their hands and that surfaces are properly cleaned and disinfected. The environmental, infection control, and industrial hygiene testing experts at EMSL Analytical are here to help in this effort. They offer culture and rapid qPCR testing services for Shigella and many other pathogens from surface, water, and food samples. These tests can be used to confirm disinfection efforts are effective or to pinpoint the source of an outbreak if one has already taken place. EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video about Shigella and shigellosis that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/h6HCGNg2qKw To learn more about testing for Shigella or other environmental pathogens and contaminants, please call (800) 220-3675, email info@EMSL.com, or visit www.EMSL.com. For inquires related to food testing, visit www.FoodTestingLab.com. About EMSL Analytical, Inc. EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.