Update on Shigella Outbreak Associated with Homeless Encampments in San Jose – June 24, 2024
The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department and partners continue to respond to an outbreak of Shigella among individuals experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara County. As of Monday morning, nine people have tested positive for Shigella associated with this outbreak investigation, six of them were hospitalized, and 21 more suspected cases in the county have been identified. Public Health is working with the City of San José and additional partners to prevent more people from becoming sick and to connect those who are sick to care. Public Health continues to provide guidance about the appropriate use of personal protective equipment, restroom sanitation, and safe food practices to partners working in and around encampments.
Several of the encampments are located along the Guadalupe River. Public Health outreach workers and community organizations are providing clean water and advising residents of the encampments to avoid using the river water for drinking, bathing, cooking, and toileting.
The risk to the general public remains low. Shigella can spread through water, and only a small number of individual organisms are needed to cause illness. Because infected persons have reported using the river for bathing and toileting, Public Health advises that everyone avoid using Guadalupe River water downstream of Route 85 (highway 85) – the intersection of highway 85 and Almaden Expressway. Avoid using the water for recreation, drinking, bathing, cooking, and toileting. River water is non-potable and may contain a variety of disease-causing organisms. People who come into contact with Guadalupe River water downstream of highway 85 should avoid swallowing the water and should wash with soap and water before eating or touching their face. Workers in partner organizations who might come into contact with river water in the vicinity of the encampments have been advised to wear personal protective equipment.
Shigella is a highly contagious bacteria that can cause diarrhea and sometimes severe disease. It only takes a small amount of contact (10-100 organisms) with Shigella bacteria to make someone sick, which is why it is important to respond quickly when outbreaks happen. Shigella can be spread by eating or drinking food contaminated with the bacteria or by contacting the bacteria directly from someone with a Shigella infection or from a shared surface. The infection will go away without treatment for most healthy people.
Public Health routinely monitors for cases of Shigella. It is one of many diseases and conditions required to be reported to local health departments.
Remarks from Public Health Monday, June 24 are livestreamed and available online at youtube.com/SCCPublicHealth and facebook.com/sccpublichealth