Shigella Outbreak in San Jose: Disease Spread in Santa Clara County - Health

The Santa Clara County Public Health Department is investigating multiple cases of Shigella within the unhoused community. Shigella is a highly contagious bacteria that can lead to diarrhea and severe disease in some cases.

 "Shigella is an extremely infectious disease," Santa Clara County Public Health Department Assistant Health Officer Dr. Monika Roy said. "It only takes a little bit of the organism to be able to cause disease, so it's easily spread." 

The health department identified three confirmed cases between June 3 and June 17 and is investigating to see if four other people with Shigella are connected to those cases. Additionally, 18 more suspected cases have been identified. Most of the cases were linked to people living at Columbus Park in San Jose. The city brought in additional portable public toilets and hand-washing stations to help prevent the spread of the disease.

Shigella can be spread by eating or drinking food contaminated with the bacteria or by coming in contact with the bacteria directly from someone who has it or from a shared surface. For most healthy people, the infection will go away without treatment, and the risk to the general public is considered "very low." County public health nurses and doctors have been educating unsheltered residents in encampments to help stop the spread of the disease.

 "We are working aggressively to get testing kits out to all these individuals and get those test kits back, but it is a challenge," Roy said. "It will be difficult to identify every single person that may be affected." 

Shigella Outbreak in San Jose: Disease Spread in Santa Clara County

San Jose may create a buffer zone between encampments and schools following a push from students. Health officials have identified an outbreak of shigellosis among homeless encampments in Santa Clara County and are actively working to identify more cases. The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department confirmed three cases between June 3 and June 17, with four other individuals being evaluated for a connection to the same outbreak. In addition, 18 suspected cases have been identified in the county. Shigellosis is caused by the Shigella bacteria and can spread through contaminated water, food, surfaces, or objects.

The health department is collaborating with community partners to identify more unhoused individuals who may be sick and connect them with care while also working to prevent more people from becoming sick. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that people experiencing homelessness are at high risk for shigellosis, particularly in crowded encampments where access to clean water and toilets may be limited. Despite the outbreak, the risk to the general public is considered very low, and a Shigella infection will typically resolve without treatment for most healthy individuals.

In response to the outbreak, San Jose is considering creating a buffer zone between encampments and schools to help prevent the spread of the disease. This proactive measure is being considered following advocacy from students in the region. The health department continues to monitor the situation closely and work towards containing the outbreak within the homeless community.