California: Shigella outbreak reported in Oroville
California: Shigella outbreak reported in Oroville
Butte County health officials report investigating an outbreak of the Shigella bacteria in Oroville.
Currently, the Butte County Department of Public Health (BCPH) has received lab confirmation of five cases with additional persons under investigation. Some of these cases have resulted in hospitalizations.
While anyone can become infected with Shigella, to date, all of the cases and persons under investigation have occurred in persons experiencing homelessness. BCPH has been providing targeted outreach and education directly to those impacted.
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Shigella bacteria are found in stool, and infection is spread by eating food or drinking liquids contaminated by an infected person, or when a person touches a contaminated surface or object and then touches their mouth or puts the object into their mouth. People infected with shigellosis typically experience a fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea which may be bloody.
Onset of shigellosis symptoms usually occurs one to two days after exposure—but may take longer—and lasts around a week. Infected people can remain contagious up to six weeks after symptoms resolve.
Most people with shigellosis recover completely without severe complications. In rare cases Shigella may cause bloodstream infections, seizures, kidney failure or arthritis.