By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

Health authorities in San Diego County reported six new shigella cases associated with an ongoing outbreak, bringing the total to 23 confirmed and four probable cases among people experiencing homelessness.

Image/CDC

The continuing investigation shows onset of illness dates between Aug. 16 and Oct. 17, with the three new cases occurring between Sept. 10 and Oct. 17. The 27 cases in this outbreak represent 9% of the 290 total cases reported to date in San Diego County.

The cases are all among individuals experiencing homelessness who resided at multiple locations in central San Diego. No source of the outbreak has currently been identified.

The County is working closely with the City of San Diego to:

  • Identify potential exposure sites.
  • Promote good hygienic precautions among homeless service providers and food providers.
  • Identify additional cases.
  • Connect ill individuals to treatment and housing.

Other steps include:

  • Relocation of currently deployed handwashing stations to areas frequented by homeless individuals and evaluation of need for additional stations.
  • Increased cleaning of portable and fixed public bathrooms.
  • Increased sidewalk sanitization from twice weekly to seven days per week for the time being. Frequency will be continually assessed.
  • Notification by the County Department of Environmental Health and Quality about the outbreak – and precautions – to food facilities in the downtown area, charitable feeding operators, the California Restaurant Association, Downtown San Diego Partnership,  Regional Task Force on the Homeless and Gaslamp Quarter Association.
  • Public health nurses conducting outreach at shelters.

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