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State and local health officials in California report investigating an outbreak of shigellosis likely associated with a union delegate conference held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel venue in downtown Los Angeles, 21-24 Aug 2023.

Image/CDC

The event included an estimated 300+ attendees from across California. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH)  is reporting six shigellosis cases (3 in Alameda County) from four California local health jurisdictions among event attendees.

Shigellosis is an intestinal illness caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Common symptoms include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal cramps, nausea, and fever. Symptoms usually begin within two days after exposure to Shigella and typically last for five to seven days. Many people may have mild disease that gets better without medical treatment and will recover fully. However, some people, especially young children, older adults, and persons with weakened immune systems, may have severe disease that requires hospitalization. A
small number of people can develop complications such as blood stream infections, seizures, kidney failure or arthritis.

Infectious disease books

Shigella is very infectious and spreads easily. An infected person sheds Shigella bacteria in their stool while they are sick and often for more than a week afterwards. Not washing your hands well after using the toilet can spread the bacteria. Shigella spreads from exposure to feces of an infected person, which can occur during sexual contact. It also spreads by eating foods or liquids contaminated with feces from an infected person or swallowing untreated recreational water (such as lakes or water park play fountains) contaminated with Shigella.

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