Health officials have detected an outbreak of shigellosis within homeless encampments in Santa Clara County and are actively working to identify additional cases.
The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department announced in a press release on Tuesday that it has confirmed three cases between June 3 and June 17.
Additionally, four other individuals are being assessed for potential connections to the same outbreak, and 18 other suspected cases have been identified in the county.
Shigellosis is caused by the Shigella bacteria and is characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea, which can be bloody or persistent, fever, and abdominal pain.
The bacteria can spread through contaminated water, food, surfaces, or objects.
The health department stated that it is collaborating with community partners to identify more individuals experiencing homelessness who may be affected and to connect them with necessary care, as well as to prevent further cases.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals experiencing homelessness are at a heightened risk for shigellosis, particularly in encampments where there is overcrowding or limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
The risk to the general public remains very low, and Shigella infections typically resolve on their own without treatment for most healthy individuals, as noted by the health department.
