Outbreak of Dangerous Bacteria Among Israeli Soldiers

Israeli newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported that "bacteria have spread among soldiers in the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, leading to cases of inflammation and gastrointestinal disturbances among them." The report stated today that "Shigella bacteria have spread among Israeli soldiers participating in the war in Gaza, resulting in a significant number of them suffering from intestinal disturbances." The newspaper explained that "mass infections have occurred among the soldiers, and many have been transferred to hospitals." It noted that "the army suspects that one of the reasons for this bacteria, which causes what is known as 'dysentery,' meaning inflammation and disturbance of the intestines, severe diarrhea, and high fever, is 'poor storage' of some food supplies sent to the soldiers." The newspaper quoted the director of the "Infectious Diseases" unit at the Israeli 'Asuta' hospital in Ashdod as saying that "diarrhea has spread among the soldiers in the south and gathering areas, and later among soldiers who went to fight in Gaza." He confirmed that "Shigella bacteria cause the disease 'dysentery,' which is 'extremely dangerous.'"