Bacillary Dysentery in Cyprus

An outbreak of 88 proven cases of shigella dysentery occurred in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area of Cyprus.The pattern of the epidemic would suggest Oy borne transmission with person to person contact playing little part.A therapeutic trial of ampicillin was undertaken and there was no significant alteration in the duration of symptoms or the clearance of pathogens from the stools.An outbreak of shigellosis occurred in Autumn 1974 amongst service personnel in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area of Cyprus.The clinical aspects, epidemiology and an antibiotic trial are described. Clinical featuresEighty-eight cases of shigellosis were admitted to the British Military Hospital 10 Dhekelia over the course of two months.Several other cases of diarrhoea were admitted from whom no pathogens were isolated.