Huntington Beach, California, July 17, 2024
In late June, Santa Clara Public Health announced it had identified an outbreak of Shigella among individuals experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara County. As of the time of the agency’s declaration, 10 people had tested positive for Shigella associated with this outbreak investigation and 22 more suspected cases had been identified.
Shigella is very contagious type of bacteria and exposure to even a tiny amount of contaminated fecal matter can cause infection. Transmission typically occurs when people put something in their mouths or swallow something that has come into contact with the stool of an infected person. Most infected people develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps starting a day or two after they are exposed. Shigellosis usually resolves in 5 to 7 days and some people who are infected may have no symptoms at all, but may still pass the bacteria on to others.
Just last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory to warn of an increase in extensively drug-resistant shigellosis in the United States.
“Shigella outbreaks aren’t just a concern with homeless encampments, past outbreaks have taken place at healthcare centers, nursing homes, restaurants, water parks, schools, and daycare centers,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “To stop its spread, it’s crucial that people thoroughly wash their hands and that surfaces are properly cleaned and disinfected. At LA Testing, we support infection control efforts by offering rapid qPCR testing services for Shigella and many other pathogens from surface, water, and even food samples. These tests help to confirm disinfection efforts are effective and can be used to pinpoint the source of an outbreak if one has already taken place.”
LA Testing sponsored an educational video about Shigella and shigellosis several years ago that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/FI6nC5zZMZc
To learn more about testing for Shigella or other environmental, health and safety issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794.
About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.