Shigellosis Outbreak in California County: 27 Possible Cases Under Observation

The Santa Cruz Public Health County shares that they are monitoring a Shigellosis outbreak primarily from the county's unhoused community.

Shigellosis Outbreak in Santa Cruz County

There have been 27 reported cases in the county since late January. Among these cases, 16 have been lab-confirmed, while 11 are still being investigated. The outbreak was first reported last week. The health leaders who said this are worried that the outbreak could become widespread.

Deputy health officer Dave Ghilarducci from Santa Cruz County explains that they have seen a handful of cases among those not unhoused. However, the outbreak was limited to the homeless community. Ghilarducci notes that they are concerned that there could be more cases of which they are unaware.

The outbreak of the bacteria has been a pressing concern. The county's health department has activated its own operation center and is collaborating with homeless service providers, hospitals, law enforcement, and the city to develop interventions and strategies to combat the situation. Some prevention measures are already in place, such as adding washing stations and heightened awareness among the homeless community.

However, the outbreak is surging as another storm nears, and consideration is starting to cover emergency shelters.

At present, the Shigella outbreak is being handled as a health alert. However, if it spreads even more, health leaders may consider having a wider health advisory.

What Is Shigellosis?

Shigellosis is an intestinal and bacterial infection caused by Shigella. It is easily transmissible among people through consuming infected food, swimming, or drinking unsafe water.

Infection typically happens when one accidentally swallows the bacteria. This may occur when one consumes contaminated food, swallows contaminated water, or touches the mouth. Some risk factors for the infection include being a child under five years of age, living or traveling in areas with poor sanitation, joining group activities or living in group housing, or being a man engaging in sexual intercourse with men.

Symptoms of the condition include fever, stomach pain or cramps, and diarrhea. Such symptoms begin one to two days post-infection and could last for one week. There are cases where individuals could spread the bacteria four weeks post-infection.

While the shigellosis infection typically heals without leading to complications, bowel habit normalization could take weeks or months. Nevertheless, some possible complications include seizures, dehydration, rectal prolapse, toxic megacolon, hemolytic uremic syndrome, reactive arthritis, and bloodstream infections.

To prevent shigella spread, some measures include frequent handwashing with soap, monitoring children during handwashing, not preparing food if one has diarrhea, properly disposing of soiled diapers, letting children with diarrhea stay home, avoiding water consumption from lakes, ponds, or pools that are untreated, avoiding swimming when unwell, and avoiding sexual activity with anyone with diarrhea or who recently got better from it.

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