Parents warned about contagious bacteria exposure at their children’s Midlands pre-K

Several persons associated with a Lexington County pre-K may have been infected with a contagious bacteria, according to a letter issued by the state’s health department.

Parents of the Lexington 4 Early Childhood Center in Swansea were sent a letter with a Friday date warning of shigella, an “easily spread” bacteria that can lead to an infection of the lining of the stomach, according to a letter sent by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Fever, stomach cramps and diarrhea are among the common symptoms associated with the infection, the DHEC letter stated. They typically last five to seven days.

The letter stated that among the ways shigella can spread is if children touch contaminated surfaces and put fingers in their mouth, or eat food or drink liquids by an infected food handler.

Shigella can be present in the stool of infected persons for up to four weeks after the initial infection, according to the letter. It warned parents to properly dispose of diapers, disinfect diaper-changing areas and supervise the handwashing of toddlers.

This story was originally published December 19, 2017 at 10:05 AM with the headline "Parents warned about contagious bacteria exposure at their children’s Midlands pre-K."