County Reports Four New Shigella Cases Among Homeless Population

San Diego CA

14 November, 2021

1:13 PM

Description

By Elizabeth Ireland, Times of San Diego November 12, 2021 San Diego County reported four new shigellosis cases associated with an ongoing outbreak, bringing the total to 35 confirmed and three probable cases among individuals experiencing homelessness, it was announced Friday. The continuing investigation shows onset of the bacterial illness dates between Aug. 16 and Monday, with the four new cases occurring between Oct. 28 and Monday. The 38 cases in the outbreak represent 11% of the 333 reported cases in San Diego County. A county spokesman said that the cases are all among homeless individuals who resided at multiple locations in central San Diego. Three cases outside the city are now under investigation. No source of the outbreak has been identified. The county is working with the city of San Diego to identify potential exposure sites, promote good hygienic precautions among homeless service providers and food providers, identify additional cases and connect ill individuals to treatment and housing. Preventive steps include: installation of hand-washing stationsincreased cleaning of public bathroomssidewalk sanitizationnotification by the County Department of Environmental Health and Quality about the outbreak — and precautions — to food facilities in the downtown area, charitable feeding operators, the California Restaurant Association and Gaslamp Quarter Associationpublic health nurses conducting outreach at sheltershomeless outreach teams distributing shigella information as part of hygiene kits given to the homeless, including an extra 600 the week of Oct. 18Shigella is a contagious bacterium typically spread by contaminated surfaces, food or water, or person-to-person. According to the county, those at increased risk include young children, people experiencing homelessness, travelers to locations with poor sanitation and men who have sex with men. In 2020, a total of 240 shigellosis cases were reported in San Diego County residents, while the 426 cases reported in 2019 was the highest number since 1995. Typical symptoms include diarrhea — sometimes bloody– as well as fever and stomach cramps. While most people will recover fully without antibiotic treatment, some individuals with poor immune systems can develop life-threatening disease and might need further treatment. People with symptoms that resemble shigellosis should contact their medical care provider. The provider may order stool testing to help with the diagnosis. Strategies to avoid getting or spreading shigellosis include frequent hand-washing and not preparing food while ill with diarrhea. City News Service contributed to this article. Times of San Diego is an independent online news site covering the San Diego metropolitan area. Our journalists report on politics, crime, business, sports, education, arts, the military and everyday life in San Diego. No subscription is required, and you can sign up for a free daily newsletter with a summary of the latest news.