Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services Public and Environmental Health officials are advising community residents who attended a dinner at the Elks Lodge in Eureka on Wednesday, Aug. 28, that they may have been exposed to Shigella. Attendees experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) issues should contact their primary care provider, as well as take steps not to spread the highly contagious infection.
Instances of Shigella infection are on the rise in the county after at least six individuals have tested positive for the illness since August.
The first cluster of three cases was identified in late-August. The individuals all appear to have been infected sometime in mid-August and a connection between the individuals could not be confirmed. Based on this information, Public Health sent out a Provider Alert to monitor for potential cases in case there was ongoing spread in the community.
Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Candy Stockton said within the last 24 hours, staff was notified about three new confirmed cases and five suspected cases associated with the Aug. 28 event.
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