United States: There’s a bacterial outbreak that homeless people are experiencing at San Jose encampments in Columbus and Roosevelt parks. However, the hazard that remains for people is rather small.
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Outbreaks of Shigella, a highly pathogenic bacteria that causes intestinal infections, were reported between June 3 and 17.
Therefore, two people have been admitted, while four others are currently undergoing assessment in the hospital. Moreover, 19 suspicious incidents were related to the same outbreak.
More about Shingella
Shigella impacts the stomach and the intestines; vomiting and diarrhea are typical, with the possibility of blood-streaked.
It gets transmitted when people ingest something that has come into contact with the feces of an infected person, for example, if a person who has the virus shakes a Hand and then uses it to eat without washing it.
They also contract the disease by consuming water that has been contaminated through pipelines or other means.
According to Dr. Monika Roy, assistant health officer in the county’s Public Health Department as stated on Tuesday, “What’s concerning about this outbreak isn’t the absolute number. We do regularly see Shigella cases,” as sanjosespotlight.com reported.
Moreover, “What’s concerning more is the number that are related to each other,” she continued.
Symptoms of minor Shigella infection resolve within a week, but severe infection can take up to two weeks or longer to subside. Antibiotics can be prescribed if needed.
Santa Clara County learned about the spread of Shigella disease after the tests conducted on those hospitalized came out.
Thus, Columbus and Roosevelt parks are located with their territory on the waterways, meaning Guadalupe River for Columbus Park and Coyote Creek for Roosevelt Park.
Speaking to San José Spotlight, Roy stated that people along water bodies are being tested for the illness. Among all those who had confirmed as well as those suspected to have contracted the virus, many of them did not reside in the riverine region.
However, they have not moved around checking whether the rivers and creeks that are there have been contaminated.
Roy said, “At this time, our strategy is really focused on preventing the spread,” and, “Testing will not provide conclusive or definitive results of either the cause or the mechanism to control,” as sanjosespotlight.com reported.
Moreover, Shigella can be transmitted through waterways, thereby contaminating those who come in contact with the creeks, as Roy stated.
Therefore, Roy said the focus must be on providing clean drinking and sanitation water. Therefore, people don’t have to go to nearby creeks to use that water.
Steps to prevent the spread of disease by officials
In order to prevent Shigella from spreading further, San Jose is trying to increase the number of portable toilets and handwashing stations in both locations, as well as keep the regular cleaning of the stations on a strict basis.
The city will make arrangements to provide a fresh supply of drinking and washing water. Moreover, the health department of the county has put several teams on ground tp pass out test kits to encampments where suspitions of infection spread is high.
San Jose Deputy City Manager Kip Harkness said, “We will continue to follow any guidance or direction from public health or the authorities and experts on this and provide any services and support that our unhoused residents need to ensure their safety and the safety of the community,” as anjosespotlight.com reported.