Dysentery cases have surged in the Portland area, with 40 new cases reported in January alone, according to health data from Multnomah County Health Department. The contagious gastrointestinal disease is often linked to poor housing conditions and inadequate hygiene facilities.
Shigellosis, a bacterial infection caused by the shigella bacteria, is currently spreading most prominently among residents of Multnomah County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately half a million people in the US become infected with shigellosis each year.
Health officials attribute the rising trend to unstable housing situations, which limit access to plumbing and hygiene facilities. This makes it easier for the disease to spread through contact with contaminated fecal particles.
” Housing is related to nearly all aspects of health, including infectious diseases,” said a Multnomah County Health Department statement. “Lacking housing creates a context that can increase the risk of multiple kinds of infectious disease.”
Experts recommend increasing access to public toilets and handwash stations as a simple yet effective way to curb the outbreak. Dr. John Townes, medical director for infection prevention and control at Oregon Health & Science University, emphasizes the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation in preventing the spread of dysentery.
Dysentery is typically characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea, high fever, nausea, and abdominal pain. While most people can recover on their own with basic care, certain groups are more prone to developing severe cases, including young children, older adults, and those with dehydration or malnutrition.
Preventing dysentery requires good hygiene practices, including thorough handwashing, avoiding contact with infected individuals, and proper food handling and preparation.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2025/03/03/dysentery-portland-oregon/81175188007