• Community Events
  • Home
  • Employment
  • Local
    • Central San Diego
    • North County
    • East County
    • South Bay
    • Northeastern
    • Riverside County
  • Entertainment
    • Music
    • Television
    • Art
    • Theater
    • Film
    • Events
    • Theme Parks
    • Podcast/Radio
    • Museums
    • Books
  • Business
  • National
  • Politics
  • Science & Technology
    • Computer
    • Science
    • Space
  • Sports
  • Environment
    • Clean Air
    • Climate change
    • Land
    • Ocean
    • Pollution
    • Recycling
  • Health
    • Health Business
    • Health Education
    • Medical
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Senior Life
    • Society

San Diego County News

Independent publication serving San Diego County

Shigella outbreak reported in San Diego individuals experiencing homelessness

October 12, 2021 By sdcnews

County News Center

San Diego, CA–The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is monitoring an outbreak of at least six cases of shigellosis in individuals experiencing homelessness since Sept. 30.

The cases were found after the individuals were hospitalized. They are expected to recover. 

The county has notified the City of San Diego and will work with the city and potential exposure sites and homeless service providers to ensure good hygienic precautions, identify any additional cases and connect ill individuals to treatment and housing.

A health advisory to local providers has also been issued.

“Shigellosis isn’t usually serious, but in the wrong circumstances it can spread, and we want to ensure this vulnerable population is kept safe,” said Seema Shah, M.D., medical director of Health and Human Services Agency’s Epidemiology and Immunization Services branch.

Shigellosis is a contagious infection typically spread by contaminated surfaces, food or water, or sometimes person-to-person such as men who have sex with men. In 2020, the county identified 243 total cases; to date in 2021, the county has identified 220.

Although only a small number of organisms can make a person sick, casual contact is not the main way shigellosis bacteria are spread. Typical symptoms include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever and stomach cramps.

The infection is diagnosed with stool testing. Most people will recover fully without antibiotic treatment, though individuals with poor immune systems can develop the life-threatening disease. If you have symptoms that resemble shigellosis, contact your primary care physician for assistance.

40

SHARES
Share on Facebook
Tweet
Follow us

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Central San Diego, Local Tagged With: Central San Diego, Local news


Support Independent Journalism



Trending

  • San Diego Foundation awards $3.5 million in scholarships to local college students
  • Bi-national operation near border yields rifle, ammunition, makeshift ladders
  • Russian surveillance aircraft flown near Alaska, military says
  • Four charged with $150 million fraud on San Diego tech company
  • Vessel operator, chief engineer convicted for oily bilge water discharge offense

Advertisement

Good Sam Travel Assist

Advertisement

Start LLC today at incorporate.com

Education

San Diego Foundation awards $3.5 million in scholarships to local college students

By … [Read More...]

Environment

Draft amendment to SDG&E habitat conservation plan available for public review, comment

By … [Read More...]

Science & Technology

NASA reveals Webb Telescope’s first images of unseen universe

The … [Read More...]

Advertisement

Independence Day Savings! Save up to $25◊ off our Fees on Flights Use Coupon USA25.

Advertisement

Stacy Adams

Advertisement

Summer Membership offer

Advertisement

Naturepedic

Categories

  • About Us
  • Archive
  • Community Events
  • Contact Us
  • Employment
  • Private Policy
  • Terms of Service

Follow @SanCounty

Privacy Policy

Terms of service

Copyright © 2022 San Diego County News