Portland, Oregon – Health officials in Multnomah County, Oregon, are currently facing a surge in dysentery cases, with 40 confirmed cases reported in the Portland area since the start of the year. This highly contagious disease, also known as shigellosis, has seen a significant increase compared to the same period last year, indicating a concerning trend in the region.
Over the past few years, the number of dysentery cases has been on the rise, with 158 cases reported in 2024, 96 in 2023, and 43 in 2022, according to health data shared with local news outlets. The bacterial infection, caused by the Shigella bacteria, can lead to symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting, posing a serious threat to vulnerable populations like young children and older adults.
Although dysentery is commonly associated with 19th-century pioneers traveling on the Oregon Trail, it remains a prevalent and severe disease in other parts of the world, with an estimated 1.7 billion cases annually, as reported by the Cleveland Clinic. The spread of dysentery in Oregon is attributed to bacterial contamination, likely transmitted through food or water contaminated by fecal matter from an infected individual.
Health officials in Multnomah County have linked the increase in dysentery cases to factors such as homelessness and substance abuse, particularly methamphetamine or opiate usage. The lack of access to proper sanitation and hygiene among vulnerable populations has contributed to the spread of the disease, highlighting the need for intervention strategies to address these underlying issues.
In response to the outbreak, the Multnomah County Health Department is working to provide short-term housing to individuals who test positive for dysentery, aiming to improve access to hygiene and sanitation facilities and reduce the spread of the Shigella bacteria. By addressing the root causes of the increase in cases, health officials hope to mitigate the impact of dysentery on the community and prevent further transmission of the disease.