Health officials have identified an outbreak of shigellosis among homeless encampments in Santa Clara County and are working to identify more cases.
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department said in a news release Tuesday that it confirmed three cases between June 3 and June 17 and four other people were being assessed as linked to the same outbreak. In addition, 18 other suspected cases have been identified in the province.
Shigellosis is caused by the Shigella bacteria, with symptoms of diarrhea that may be bloody or prolonged, fever and stomach pain. Shigella can spread through contaminated water, food, surfaces or objects.
The health department said it is working with community partners to identify more unhoused people who may be sick and connect them to care, along with preventing more people from getting sick.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people experiencing homelessness are at high risk for shigellosis, especially in camps where they are crowded or access to clean water and toilets is limited.
The risk to the general public was very low and a Shigella According to the health department, the infection will clear up without treatment in most healthy people.
