ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- An infectious disease that has begun to spread rapidly in the St. Johns County community prompted health officials to remind people to do something that should be second nature -- wash your hands.

The Health Department said it wants to protect people from shigella, which is a type of bacteria that can make people very sick.

"When you get it you get diarrhea -- often bloody diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps," said Health Department epidemiologist Katherine McCombs.

On Thursday, she told Channel 4 that officials in St. Johns County have been seeing more and more cases of shigella.

The disease is common in children and day cares, but McCombs said it's being seen more in households too.

"There are a lot of children getting it, and that is common to see it in those children and the parents of those children," McCombs said.

She said the bacteria are often found in human waste but can spread among people who do not wash their hands after using the bathroom.

If there's one message McCombs said she wanted to drive home to the public, it's the importance of hand washing.

"It's out there and can infect anybody and everybody," McCombs warned.

The Health Department said the best way to protect against shigella is washing your hands. The department said anyone experiencing the symptoms brought on by shigella should stay home from work or school and visit a doctor right away.