Shigella Outbreak in San Diego: Update on the Intestinal Infection Shows Increased Numbers, Source Remains Unidentified

The County of San Diego and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Public Health Services (PHS) Division released a health advisory on October 11 after six Shigella sonnei have been reported among persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) since September 30.

Science Times previously reported that the outbreak was first confirmed after the said group of people were hospitalized. Since then, health officials have monitored the intestinal infection outbreak and investigated its possible cause.

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Shigella Outbreak in San Diego: Update on the Intestinal Infection Shows Increased Numbers With No Known Source Until Now

Update on the Shigella Outbreak in San Diego

In the County of San Diego's Health and Human Agency Services update, they reported that the ongoing Shigella outbreak has infected a total of 51 cases, of which 46 are confirmed, and five are probable cases. The data shows an increase from the 41 confirmed cases since December 3.

According to County News Center, the ongoing investigation shows that the disease outbreak started between August 16 and November 21, 2021. As the days pass, new cases are recorded between November 15 and November 21, 2021, with the onset of symptoms on November 27, 2021.

Health officials said that the 51 cases of shigellosis represent 13% of the 402 total cases reported to date in the County of San Diego. On their website, they also said that it shows an epidemiological curve that implies declining case numbers in recent weeks.

Most of the recorded shigellosis cases are those of homeless individuals, especially in multiple locations in central San Diego, and two cases were also recorded in North County. Unfortunately, continuing investigations have not yet identified the source of the outbreak.

County officials continue to coordinate and work closely with the City of San Diego officials and regional homeless service providers and other organizations to identify new cases of shigellosis and prevent potential exposures through promoting proper hygienic and sanitation precautions.

"Shigellosis isn't usually serious, but in the wrong circumstances it can spread, and we want to ensure this vulnerable population is kept safe," The San Diego Union-Tribune quoted medical doctor Seema Shah of HHSA's Epidemiology and Immunization Services branch.

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Shigellosis Symptoms and Transmission

Shigellosis is an infection by a family of the shigella bacteria. According to Mayo Clinic, it is very contagious that anyone exposed to the infection even in small amounts will experience diarrhea (often containing blood or mucus, stomach pains and cramps, fever, and nausea or vomiting.

These symptoms generally last for five to seven days or longer. Although, some people may also have no symptoms after getting infected. But experts said that the person's feces remain contagious for up to a few weeks.

Children under five years old are the most likely to get infected with shigellosis, but it can also occur in all ages. Exposure to infected stool is one way of shigellosis transmission, especially when staff members of child care settings do not wash their hands enough after changing diapers or helping toddlers with their toilet training. Also, Shigella can spread via infected food or drinks and when swimming in unsafe waters.