By Jory Lange

A Shigella outbreak at a wedding near Portland, Oregon that sickened 107 wedding guests has just been reported by the Oregon Health Authority. 263 people attended the wedding. At least 107 people became ill. 21% of those who became ill (23 people) were confirmed cases with Shigella infections linked to the wedding. 82 of the affected people were Oregon residents hailing from 11 separate counties in Oregon. The remaining 25 Shigella victims were residents of 11 other states. The wedding guests became ill between August 12 and August 17, 2018. The Shigella outbreak was investigated by the health departments in Yamhill County and Multnomah County, as well as by the Oregon Health Authority.

This is the second largest Shigella outbreak in the US since 1988. The specific food source that caused this Shigella outbreak was not identified. However, outbreak investigators concluded that the Shigella outbreak was most likely caused by asparagus contaminated with Shigella.   Shigella infection rates are correlated with the foods consumed at the wedding, in the table below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of those who became ill, 70% missed school or work (74 people), 54% saw a doctor or nurse (57 people), 36% had to go to the emergency room (38), and 9% were hospitalized (10 people).

Image/CDC
Image/CDC