The Regional Directorate of Health in the governorate of Tataouine reported Thursday the first case of infection by the Shigella bacteria in the region, discovered in a Libyan girl aged 12 years after a laboratory test.

The patient in question was transferred to the pediatric department of the regional hospital of Tataouine where she was placed in quarantine and medically treated, Hospital Director Abdelmajid Regued told TAP.

The same source pointed out that the regional hospital of Tataouine has been short of doctors specialising in paediatrics for about six months, noting that to make up for this shortage, the hospital has had to resort to a specialist doctor from the private sector to provide weekly consultations and weekend duty on a contractual basis.

The Regional Directorate of Health in Tataouine has urged citizens to remain vigilant and protect their children against this deadly bacteria, particularly through the respect of hygiene rules, prevention and early detection of the infection.

Source: Tap News Agency