Multnomah County reports increase in Shigella-related illness – KGW.com
To stream KGW on your phone, you need the KGW app.Next up in 5Example video title will go here for this videoNext up in 5Example video title will go here for this videoPORTLAND, Ore. — Multnomah County is seeing a large spike in winter season Shigella infections for the second year in a row, with more cases recorded in January than in any prior month since 2012, according to data from the county health department.Shigella is a type of bacteria that can can cause severe diarrhea, fever and fatigue in humans, a condition historically known as dysentery. It is typically transmitted when fecal bacteria from an infected person gets into another person’s mouth, according to county health officials. The last big wave of infections in Multnomah County saw 72 recorded cases from November 2023 to January 2024, excluding cases where the person likely caught the illness while traveling internationally. The total for the same time period this time around is 105, with 40 cases in January alone.Shigella cases have been rising in Multnomah County since 2012, and in recent years the county has also seen the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. Sanitation access plays a role in transmission, so the spikes have disproportionately impacted the homeless community; last year’s outbreak was concentrated in Old Town. The bacteria can sometimes spread through single-source outbreaks such as contaminated food at a restaurant, but it’s more common for it to spread directly from one person to another, either through direct contact like sexual intercourse or indirect contact such as touching one’s mouth after touching a contaminated surface.Infections can range from mild to fatal, but the more severe cases are typically caused by a specific strain of the bacteria called Shigella dysenteriae, which is usually only found in countries or regions with poor sanitation infrastructure. The two strains commonly found in Oregon are Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei, which tend to cause milder illness. Most people can expect the symptoms to resolve without treatment in about 5-7 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but antibiotics may be necessary in more severe cases or for people who are immunocompromised. More than 80% of cases in Multnomah County are contracted locally rather than through international travel, according to the county. Among those cases, looking at the time period from 2017 through January, 2025, about 91% were person-to-person rather than originating at specific points like restaurants.About 78% of cases were male, with a median age of 42 years. About 46% of cases involved gay or bisexual men, 44% were people experiencing homelessness, and about a third were people who use drugs. The county said its health department prioritizes short-term housing for people who test positive, because of the importance of access to sanitation in preventing transmission of the disease.People infected with Shigella can help limit the spread by staying home from school or work, washing their hands often, not preparing food for others, avoiding sharing drug paraphernalia, avoiding sexual activity and refraining from recreational water activities. Those restrictions should be followed until at least two weeks after the diarrhea stops.
