SANTA CRUZ — Local health officials continue to battle against a bacterial illness outbreak primarily impacting those who are experiencing homelessness and have shared updated infection totals.
According to a release from the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, 27 cases of shigellosis have been reported in Santa Cruz County since late January. Of that total, lab tests, using stool samples, have confirmed 16 cases and 11 are still under investigation.
“At this time the risk to the broader community is low, but people can protect themselves from Shigella by washing their hands with soap and water carefully and frequently, especially after using the bathroom, after changing diapers, and before preparing and consuming foods or beverages,” said Santa Cruz County Health Officer Lisa Hernandez in the release.
Shigellosis, according to the county, is an infection caused by a bacteria known as Shigella that is easily spread from person to person with symptoms that commonly include diarrhea, stomach pain/cramps and fever. The symptoms typically begin a day or two after infection and last for about a week, though the bacteria can still be shed for four weeks after symptoms have subsided.
Most people will recover without antibiotic treatment, according to the release, but individuals with poor immune systems can develop life-threatening disease.
Joining the county in the effort to contain the outbreak is the city of Santa Cruz, the county Sheriff’s Office, Homeless Persons Health Project, local medical providers, hospitals and other homeless service providers. Efforts include sharing good hygienic precautions, identification of additional cases and connecting sick individuals with treatment.
Organizers with the annual Santa Cruz Cookout, an event featuring free food and musical performance in Harvey West Park, postponed the event last week as the outbreak continued to spread.
The primary ways a Shigella infection can spread, according to the release, is through an individual getting the bacteria on their hands and then touching their food or mouth. Common ways the bacteria ends up on hands in the first place include:
• Touching a surface contaminated with the Shigella through stool from a sick person.
• Eating food prepared by someone with shigellosis.
• Swallowing recreational water — such as that from a lake or river — while swimming.
• Drinking water contaminated with the Shigella bacteria.
• Changing the diaper of a sick child or caring for a sick person.
Those experiencing symptoms that resemble shigellosis are encouraged to contact their primary care physician, according to the release.